If you haven't listened to part 1, go now and listen so you'll be able to follow along.

This episode is sponsored by Thrive: Make Money Matter event coming in October of 2016 in my hometown of San Diego. Save 20% off your ticket price when you use the promo code: Desmond.

This episode deals with facing change in our life. Whether that's giving up the addictions we're facing or finally chasing the dreams we've put off for too long. Regardless, the mental hurdles are the same.

You'll find out how to face the fear of change and the denial we may use to avoid it.

We're going to talk about what enabling looks like and how it can best be dealt with. Sadly, it usually comes out of love and empathy.

You'll also hear about the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous AA.

If you benefit from this episode, please take the time to give it a 5 STAR rating and review in iTunes, iHeartRadio or wherever you may be enjoying it.

]]>This is part TWO of an interview with Tom Conrad of Rock Recovery Center in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

If you haven't listened to part 1, go now and listen so you'll be able to follow along.

This episode is sponsored by Thrive: Make Money Matter event coming in October of 2016 in my hometown of San Diego. Save 20% off your ticket price when you use the promo code: Desmond.

This episode deals with facing change in our life. Whether that's giving up the addictions we're facing or finally chasing the dreams we've put off for too long. Regardless, the mental hurdles are the same.

You'll find out how to face the fear of change and the denial we may use to avoid it.

We're going to talk about what enabling looks like and how it can best be dealt with. Sadly, it usually comes out of love and empathy.

You'll also hear about the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous AA.

If you benefit from this episode, please take the time to give it a 5 STAR rating and review in iTunes, iHeartRadio or wherever you may be enjoying it.

]]>01:01:25cleanrecovery,alcohol,change,fear,drugs,alcoholism,addiction,enablingfullPart 1: Addiction, Recovery, and What We ALL Can Learn From ItMon, 01 Aug 2016 11:00:00 +0000It doesn't matter if you're dealing with drug addiction, alcoholism, or any other issue on that level, you can all learn about the mental aspects of overcoming an external force which is controlling our life.

If you're in business, trying to get into shape, or working on your relationships, you will be amazed by how you can overcome your struggles by learning from someone who overcame drug and alcohol addiction. It's all the same battle on a different scale.

This episode is sponsored by Thrive: Make Money Matter event coming in October of 2016 in my hometown of San Diego. Save 20% off your ticket price when you use the promo code: Desmond.

This is my first ever interview on Mental Mastery Mondays. I sit down with Tom Conrad who's the Chief Operating Officer as Rock Recovery Center in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

Tom discusses how his alcohol addiction started, moved into drugs, was enabled by his father, and ultimately was addressed by facing the stark reality of his situation.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5 STAR rating and review in iTunes or wherever you listen. It will help others find and benefit from the show. Thank you!

]]>It doesn't matter if you're dealing with drug addiction, alcoholism, or any other issue on that level, you can all learn about the mental aspects of overcoming an external force which is controlling our life.

If you're in business, trying to get into shape, or working on your relationships, you will be amazed by how you can overcome your struggles by learning from someone who overcame drug and alcohol addiction. It's all the same battle on a different scale.

This episode is sponsored by Thrive: Make Money Matter event coming in October of 2016 in my hometown of San Diego. Save 20% off your ticket price when you use the promo code: Desmond.

This is my first ever interview on Mental Mastery Mondays. I sit down with Tom Conrad who's the Chief Operating Officer as Rock Recovery Center in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

Tom discusses how his alcohol addiction started, moved into drugs, was enabled by his father, and ultimately was addressed by facing the stark reality of his situation.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5 STAR rating and review in iTunes or wherever you listen. It will help others find and benefit from the show. Thank you!

]]>55:15cleanrecovery,drugs,alcoholism,addictionStep 1 to Being Your Best in Life - Ep. 166Thu, 28 Jul 2016 14:09:40 +0000If you're struggling to make the changes you need in your life in order to live the life you desire, it may be this one action that's holding you back.

Most people, myself included, don't even realize this is an issue for them. But once you do then take the action to correct it, you'll immediately find changes beginning to take place.

One simple change in mindset is all it takes. It won't be easy and it will most likely be a lifelong journey down this path, but it will be so worth it.

Listen now and find out what you need to do to get started on the road to the life you dream of living.

---------------- Like this episode? Would you please a 5 Star rating and review on your favorite podcast directory?

]]>21:03cleanlife,success,responsibility,mistakesThe Secret to Feeling Good for Life - Ep. 165Wed, 20 Jul 2016 16:42:17 +0000If you've struggled with finding lasting happiness or that "great feeling" we all seek, this episode is going to give you some wonderful insight.

Most of us don't understand why we go through so many ups and downs in how we feel physically, emotionally, and even spiritually. This can sometimes lead to very negative habits which leave us with temporary good feelings but put us in a negative place over the long-term.

]]>If you've struggled with finding lasting happiness or that "great feeling" we all seek, this episode is going to give you some wonderful insight.

Most of us don't understand why we go through so many ups and downs in how we feel physically, emotionally, and even spiritually. This can sometimes lead to very negative habits which leave us with temporary good feelings but put us in a negative place over the long-term.

]]>22:59cleangood,happiness,success,feelings,habits,feel,mindsetWhat You Can Learn About Your Life Purpose by Studying Bird Nests. Seriously! - Ep. 164Tue, 12 Jul 2016 12:53:28 +0000When you understand what causes a bird to know how to build a nest, without going to nest building school, you'll have a much deeper understanding of what your purpose is in life.

Your life purpose is inside of you waiting to come out, but our modern world is most likely suppressing it. You don't realize this until you take the time to really reflect on what is inside of you.

This episode will help you explore what your nest looks like, what your dam would resemble and how to let it flow out of you. Listen...

ANNOUNCEMENT:

On August 1, 2016, I will be releasing a very special episode of this show. It is my first ever interview episode and we'll be exploring addiction and what we can all learn about it, even if we don't have our own addiction.

You'll learn about discovering our shortfalls, facing the fear or change, and intentionally creating an environment which is conducive to our success.

]]>When you understand what causes a bird to know how to build a nest, without going to nest building school, you'll have a much deeper understanding of what your purpose is in life.

Your life purpose is inside of you waiting to come out, but our modern world is most likely suppressing it. You don't realize this until you take the time to really reflect on what is inside of you.

This episode will help you explore what your nest looks like, what your dam would resemble and how to let it flow out of you. Listen...

ANNOUNCEMENT:

On August 1, 2016, I will be releasing a very special episode of this show. It is my first ever interview episode and we'll be exploring addiction and what we can all learn about it, even if we don't have our own addiction.

You'll learn about discovering our shortfalls, facing the fear or change, and intentionally creating an environment which is conducive to our success.

]]>21:39cleanlife,happiness,success,meaning,intention,purposeThe Benefits of Declaring Your Personal Independence - Ep. 163Mon, 04 Jul 2016 23:59:02 +0000Independence is a very frightening and often painful venture. Whether you're seeking independence from government, parents, teachers, employer, or even a personal relationship, you're going to confront a lot of fear and most likely experience some pain in the process.

This episode will explore that as well as the beautiful rewards which come from gaining your independence. It's well worth it in spite of the pain because you will come out on the other side a much different and improved person.

Note: I offer a free Twitter Growth Checklist in this episode. You can download that right now at http://TwitterEdge.com

Happy 4th of July America... sorry, if you're listening in the UK.

]]>Independence is a very frightening and often painful venture. Whether you're seeking independence from government, parents, teachers, employer, or even a personal relationship, you're going to confront a lot of fear and most likely experience some pain in the process.

This episode will explore that as well as the beautiful rewards which come from gaining your independence. It's well worth it in spite of the pain because you will come out on the other side a much different and improved person.

Note: I offer a free Twitter Growth Checklist in this episode. You can download that right now at http://TwitterEdge.com

Happy 4th of July America... sorry, if you're listening in the UK.

]]>20:46nofreedom,fear,pain,responsibility,independence,mindsetHave You Ever Felt Like a Fraud? Here's Why You Probably Shouldn't - Ep. 162Tue, 28 Jun 2016 01:42:30 +0000Discover why it's not what you're going through in life that will define you and your worth to those around you. This can make or break your self-esteem if you don't understand what's most important when it comes to defining yourself.

You're also going to discover why you MUST allow the people you love in life, to experience pain. It's our nature to protect them from it, but when we do, we sabotage them and banish them to a life of perpetual struggle.

Let's connect on Snapchat: @pdesmondadams

]]>Discover why it's not what you're going through in life that will define you and your worth to those around you. This can make or break your self-esteem if you don't understand what's most important when it comes to defining yourself.

You're also going to discover why you MUST allow the people you love in life, to experience pain. It's our nature to protect them from it, but when we do, we sabotage them and banish them to a life of perpetual struggle.

Let's connect on Snapchat: @pdesmondadams

]]>12:18nolife,pain,fraud,selfesteem,mindsetHow Much Money is Enough? Ep. 161Mon, 28 Sep 2015 04:01:00 +0000Why do we need money? What's it's purpose in our life and how should we view it?

What should be our goal in having or earning money?

Money is just a means to an end, which means the amount of money we need is dependent on what we want to gain with our money. Is it security? Significance? Indulgence?

Can money actually buy us happiness? I think so and I explain why. You'll have to listen, but it's not a simple concept and not as basic as "money buys happiness." Listen.

Money doesn't buy us "stuff," instead it buys us the experiences we hope to gain in having that stuff. Money really does buy us experiences and that's truly where we find satisfaction and happiness. But... that stuff we buy isn't the ONLY way we can experience that same happiness.

Since our happiness comes from our experiences, we change how we view them. When we are intentional about feeling gratitude for the things we experience in life, we find our happiness comes sooner and more often.

The Princeton Study

There is a study which came of Princeton University which indicated most people in America reach a peak level of happiness when they're earning approximately $75,000 per year.

There's nothing magical about that number, but in today's economy, they found this was the amount it took for someone to have all the necessities in life with a little extra for a few of the luxuries we all enjoy.

What's interesting is, the level of happiness seems to plateau at that point. Meaning, if you earn more than $75,000 per year, you don't see your happiness level increase much more.

I dig into this concept much deeper in the episode so make sure you take the time to listen and explore.

How much money is enough? Let's find out...

]]>Why do we need money? What's it's purpose in our life and how should we view it?

What should be our goal in having or earning money?

Money is just a means to an end, which means the amount of money we need is dependent on what we want to gain with our money. Is it security? Significance? Indulgence?

Can money actually buy us happiness? I think so and I explain why. You'll have to listen, but it's not a simple concept and not as basic as "money buys happiness." Listen.

Money doesn't buy us "stuff," instead it buys us the experiences we hope to gain in having that stuff. Money really does buy us experiences and that's truly where we find satisfaction and happiness. But... that stuff we buy isn't the ONLY way we can experience that same happiness.

Since our happiness comes from our experiences, we change how we view them. When we are intentional about feeling gratitude for the things we experience in life, we find our happiness comes sooner and more often.

The Princeton Study

There is a study which came of Princeton University which indicated most people in America reach a peak level of happiness when they're earning approximately $75,000 per year.

There's nothing magical about that number, but in today's economy, they found this was the amount it took for someone to have all the necessities in life with a little extra for a few of the luxuries we all enjoy.

What's interesting is, the level of happiness seems to plateau at that point. Meaning, if you earn more than $75,000 per year, you don't see your happiness level increase much more.

I dig into this concept much deeper in the episode so make sure you take the time to listen and explore.

How much money is enough? Let's find out...

]]>27:57cleanmoney,happiness,security,satisfaction,discipline,mindset,significanceThe Key to Authentic Life-Change - Ep. 160Mon, 21 Sep 2015 04:00:00 +0000In this episode, we're going to look at this one critical component to authentic life-changes which will last. It's the reason we stop bad behavior or take up healthy behavior.

Dig into this episode and discover what it takes to make life better for you or those you love.

This episode comes out of my own desire to see others in my family set aside negative harmful behaviors and finally move forward in a positive direction in order to live the wonderful life I know they're capable of having.

Not only will you learn the key ingredient required, you'll also learn about the critical components which go into it.

You'll also learn how to balance the critical components in a way which will assure your success.

]]>In this episode, we're going to look at this one critical component to authentic life-changes which will last. It's the reason we stop bad behavior or take up healthy behavior.

Dig into this episode and discover what it takes to make life better for you or those you love.

This episode comes out of my own desire to see others in my family set aside negative harmful behaviors and finally move forward in a positive direction in order to live the wonderful life I know they're capable of having.

Not only will you learn the key ingredient required, you'll also learn about the critical components which go into it.

You'll also learn how to balance the critical components in a way which will assure your success.

]]>19:02cleanchange,dreams,support,success,risk,trust,mindset,inspirationsLet's Get Naked So We Can Get Better - Ep. 159Mon, 07 Sep 2015 15:43:25 +0000When we're emotionally, spiritually, and psychologically naked, we're forced to be honest and real with ourselves. When this happens, we can't hide behind something we may normally use to cover them up.

Four Ways to Cover Up

Oftentimes we employ various strategies or justifications for keeping ourselves "covered-up" so we don't have to deal with the truth of our nakedness. I've diluted these down to 4 general areas:

Making excuses for our imperfections

Blaming others for our shortcomings

Feeling Threatened by other's victories

Overstating our own victories

Each one of these is focused on the external which is outside of control. That makes it really easy to ignore the issue and continue on as we have previously. But, this leaves us short of our best.

We can only improve ourselves when we're honest about what needs to be improved and we can only be honest when we strip ourselves of everything we're using to cover up. We must get naked to know what's really going on.

Finding Our Real Support Team

When we're naked and honest about ourselves we find out who our real partners are in life. We discover who's going to be there to help us move forward. This doesn't mean we rely on others to take us there, but instead, use their support to help us move there on our own.

Don't Fall Into Complacency

One big stumbling point we can fall into when we're honest about ourselves is complacency. By that I mean, we are honest about our flaws, but we're not challenged to deal with them. We must find that balance between being honest and being complacent.

Getting naked and honest about ourselves isn't about championing our flaws either. Be careful you're not saying "well, that's who I am. Love it or leave it." That will not lead to improvement either.

I hope this episode helps you get honest and naked with yourself so you can humble yourself enough to seek the assistance you need to overcome the areas that need help. There is no real gain is projecting a false success.

Listen to this episode and give me your feedback on how you've not been honest in the past and what you're going to do to change the situation.

]]>When we're emotionally, spiritually, and psychologically naked, we're forced to be honest and real with ourselves. When this happens, we can't hide behind something we may normally use to cover them up.

Four Ways to Cover Up

Oftentimes we employ various strategies or justifications for keeping ourselves "covered-up" so we don't have to deal with the truth of our nakedness. I've diluted these down to 4 general areas:

Making excuses for our imperfections

Blaming others for our shortcomings

Feeling Threatened by other's victories

Overstating our own victories

Each one of these is focused on the external which is outside of control. That makes it really easy to ignore the issue and continue on as we have previously. But, this leaves us short of our best.

We can only improve ourselves when we're honest about what needs to be improved and we can only be honest when we strip ourselves of everything we're using to cover up. We must get naked to know what's really going on.

Finding Our Real Support Team

When we're naked and honest about ourselves we find out who our real partners are in life. We discover who's going to be there to help us move forward. This doesn't mean we rely on others to take us there, but instead, use their support to help us move there on our own.

Don't Fall Into Complacency

One big stumbling point we can fall into when we're honest about ourselves is complacency. By that I mean, we are honest about our flaws, but we're not challenged to deal with them. We must find that balance between being honest and being complacent.

Getting naked and honest about ourselves isn't about championing our flaws either. Be careful you're not saying "well, that's who I am. Love it or leave it." That will not lead to improvement either.

I hope this episode helps you get honest and naked with yourself so you can humble yourself enough to seek the assistance you need to overcome the areas that need help. There is no real gain is projecting a false success.

Listen to this episode and give me your feedback on how you've not been honest in the past and what you're going to do to change the situation.

]]>25:37cleanself,improvement,success,honesty,humility,greatness,achievementI've Figured Out Your Life Purpose - Ep. 157Mon, 24 Aug 2015 04:00:00 +0000Here's what I cover in this episode:

This is probably the most asked question of me. "How do I figure out my life purpose?"

I dig VERY deep into this topic and explore WHY we all feel a need to know this. Basically, it's about feeling valuable, feeling as though our life has meaning and isn't just wasted energy. We all want to know it somehow matters.

No More Struggle

I don't want you to struggle any longer with this, so I've broken it down; letting you know what your ultimate life purpose is, as well as what your purpose is this year and even today.

Sounds impossible, I know, but really the answer is quite simple, yet incredibly complex at the same time. So come along on this journey with me and, in about 30 minutes, we'll discover exactly what you're supposed to do right now and for the rest of your life.

What Do You Think?

I would love to have your feedback on this. If this brings up an even bigger questions, please reach out to me in a number of ways:

This is probably the most asked question of me. "How do I figure out my life purpose?"

I dig VERY deep into this topic and explore WHY we all feel a need to know this. Basically, it's about feeling valuable, feeling as though our life has meaning and isn't just wasted energy. We all want to know it somehow matters.

No More Struggle

I don't want you to struggle any longer with this, so I've broken it down; letting you know what your ultimate life purpose is, as well as what your purpose is this year and even today.

Sounds impossible, I know, but really the answer is quite simple, yet incredibly complex at the same time. So come along on this journey with me and, in about 30 minutes, we'll discover exactly what you're supposed to do right now and for the rest of your life.

What Do You Think?

I would love to have your feedback on this. If this brings up an even bigger questions, please reach out to me in a number of ways:

Experts calculate that you are lied to about 100 times every single day. Some days it's less, some days it's more, but on average, you're hearing about 100 lies per day.

Maybe that's easy for you to believe because you've been lied to so many times, but the truth is, there's someone in the world right now who is believing a lie because YOU told it to them. In fact, there's someone believing a lie today because I told it to them.

Why does it feel next to impossible to be honest, or have people be honest to us? It seems like we have to have some sort of lie at all times in an effort to protect ourselves or others,

In this episode, we're going to explore the world of lying and what it does to us, the people around us and the relationships we have with the.

Can A Lie Be A Good Thing?

If you immediately react to this question with a resounding "NO" you should really pause and listen to this episode. I give an example where lying is very clearly a good thing. If you don't believe me, you'll have to listen in and hear for yourself.

Experts calculate that you are lied to about 100 times every single day. Some days it's less, some days it's more, but on average, you're hearing about 100 lies per day.

Maybe that's easy for you to believe because you've been lied to so many times, but the truth is, there's someone in the world right now who is believing a lie because YOU told it to them. In fact, there's someone believing a lie today because I told it to them.

Why does it feel next to impossible to be honest, or have people be honest to us? It seems like we have to have some sort of lie at all times in an effort to protect ourselves or others,

In this episode, we're going to explore the world of lying and what it does to us, the people around us and the relationships we have with the.

Can A Lie Be A Good Thing?

If you immediately react to this question with a resounding "NO" you should really pause and listen to this episode. I give an example where lying is very clearly a good thing. If you don't believe me, you'll have to listen in and hear for yourself.

What it is and how it manifests itself in our life. I'm going to look at perfectionism and how it can stop us from doing what needs to be done to achieve our goals.

Maximum Capacity

We all have a maximum capacity for ourselves. I still believe, as humans we have an unlimited potential, but that don't mean in this moment, you have an unlimited ability. For example, even if you believe it, you can not hold your breath for 30 minutes. That doesn't mean man doesn't have the potential to develop to the point where we can do it, it just means, right now, you're going to go about 2-3 minutes and need to breath. Right?

I share an experiment where I try to hold my breath for as long as possible. I also share another experiment where I hold my breath for one minute, rest for 20 seconds and hold it again for 1 minute. Ultimately, I'm able to hold my breath for a longer period of time when I interject a break just beyond my comfort zone.

John Lee Dumas - Entreprenuer on Fire

You'll hear me get very vulnerable as I talk about why I felt compelled to do a daily podcast when I first started and how that lead to me failing repeatedly. Thankfully that failure has lead to improvement (as it always does).

I look at why John Lee Dumas was able to succeed doing a daily podcast and I wasn't. It's not about John trying harder or me having bigger hurdles, it's about capacity at that time. Listen and you'll understand much better.

It's not about being consistently frequent, it's about being frequently consistent. Just wanting to do more won't get you to do more. You have to have the capacity to do more and I didn't.

Mental Mastery Mondays

In this episode, I share about why I'm changing the show from Mental Mastery Moment to Mental Mastery Mondays. I'm taking this from a daily show to a weekly show and even expanding the length of the show when needed. Most of the time it will still be under 20 minutes.

I'm also going to include guests on my show from time-to-time if they fit. I'm not looking for the typical podcasts guest, but instead, people who are willing to talk about their struggles and how how they overcame them. I want people who will be honest and vulnerable, not just pom-pom carrying cheerleaders.

Call to Action

Review your own performance. Are you stretching beyond your grasp or staying inside of your comfort zone? If you are stretching, are you trying to go too far? Are you finding your effort comes in spurts with periodic collapses? You may be going too far.

Here are some of the resources I mention in this episode:

The 5 Fears Report - Find out what fears are keeping you from finishing what you've started and achieving your goals.

I refer to most mainstream television as "junk food for the brain" because, just like junk food, it fills you up but has very little nutritional value. Television will fill your mind but it has no beneficial value. It's like cotton candy, a lot of fluff that tastes great in the moment, but it brings nothing of substance.

Keep in mind, there's very little wrong with treating yourself to a little guilty pleasure once in a while, as long as it's not the norm. I have people in my life who's daily routine involves several hours worth of junk television. They've litterally run-off a list of TV shows ... "Do you watch this... how about this... or this?" They're amazed when I say "no, no, no." I just don't make it a practice to mentally ingest that. But, I do love to sit and relax and be entertained by other peoples amazing creativity.

Here is my list of 4 TV shows which are incredibly entertaining but also have some redemptive qualities to them. I hope you'll take a look at some of them.

The Profit with Marcus Lemonis

This is probably my favorite TV show.

Marcus Lemonis is the CEO of Camping World, but now he’s the part owner of numerous small and medium sizes businesses around the country, because of this television show.

He heads out to struggling businesses and helps them become profitable, by using his business savvy and industry know-how. He can usually come in and see exactly what's wrong with a business. In fact, I find that in most cases, just about anybody could see what's wrong, but when you're in the middle of it all, it's sometimes difficult to figure out.

One of the things I love about Marcus is that he doesn’t take any crap from anyone. There is plenty of words bleeped out in just about every episode. He will let an owner know when they're making a mistake or being dishonest with him.

You will learn SO much about running a business and the three elements Marcus says are vital to business success, People, Product and Process.

He’s huge on getting the right people into place and treating them incredibly well. Marcus treats the right people incredibly well, rewarding them verbally as wel as monetarily when it's justified.

The product has to be great and you have to focus on the right product, not EVERY potential product. That’s a huge lesson. I've seen so many businesses which have expanded beyond their core expertise and ended up losing so much money on the fringe items, it eats into the profit of that core.

The process has to be streamlined and efficient as well. He’s a master at finding opportunities to become more efficient while raising quality as well. The process is vital.

The Profit is available on CNBC.

Shark Tank

You’ve probably seen the Shark Tank. It’s on prime time TV on ABC. In fact, you can head over to ABC.com and stream previous episodes any time you'd like. I'm a huge fan of "on demand" televisions. That puts me in control of my entertainment schedule.

Multi-millionaire and even billionaires sit as “Sharks” while start-ups present their business and ask the Sharks to invest. They ask for a specific amount and in return offer a chunk of the business. But it's very rare for someone to get exactly what they've asked for from the sharks. After all, they're sharks...

The Sharks are

Mark Cuban - Dallas Mavericks owner

Lori Greiner - Queen of QVC

Barbara Corcoran - Real Estate mogul

Daymond John - Started FUBU

Robert Herjavec - I mentioned him in episode 114 - Cyber Security firm

Kevin O’Leary - Mr. Wonderful - all about making money. Made his fortune on software for kids.

You’ll learn so much about what it takes to develop a product that’s attractive to investors. They ask all the questions about finances and patents and marketability.

It's not just business though, the sharks will sometimes key in on someone who has such a tremendous passion and partner with them. They know that passion is something you can't teach to someone, but all the other business stuff, they can. It's a great lesson. But it's not JUST passion.

Take a look at Shark Tank if you haven't watched it yet.

American Ninja Warrior

Even if you don’t workout or play sports, the people competing on American Ninja Warrior will take your breath away.

The best part of this show is that most of these people are just normal folks with normal jobs and pretty normal lives. They don’t have massive sponsors and they usually build crude training facilities in their backyards. They practice after work and on weekends. They show that, if you want it bad enough, you'll find a way to get it.

So, what do they do?

They take on some of the most treacherous obstacle courses ever designed. These are just a few examples. There are usually about 8 obsticles in a city finals. Once they go on to Las Vegas for the nationals, there are even more and the difficulty level goes through the roof.

Spinning Logs which whip you over and over and over as you hang on until it gets to the bottom of the ramp

The Salmon Ladder - Like doing pull ups but each time you pull yourself up, you have to lift the bar up about 6-8” to another set of pegs on which it can rest.

The Warped Wall is 14 feet high and it’s exactly what it sounds like, a warped wall which you have to run up and climb over.

There are countless other obstacles and some of them seem nearly impossible. There have been times when we've been watching competitor after competitor fail on one particular obsticle and wonder if it's possible. The amazing thing is, once one person makes it, it seems even more follow suit. The amazing power of the mind when we finally believe something is possible.

Some of the stories are incredbily inspriring. One example is Kacy Catanzaro, who is just 5 feet tall but she shocked everyone by being the first woman to qualify for the finals in Las Vegas. She was an animal and I’ll tell you, if you have young daughters or granddaughters, have them watch these athletes compete. It is so inspiring.

This TV show will motivate you to push through and do what you originally thought was impossible. I’m not just talking about physical abilities, but all abilities. If they can push through and make it on this course, you can get through whatever obstacle is standing in front of you.

It’s on NBC or you can stream some of the best runs on YouTube or IMDB

America’s Got Talent

This seems like a circus show on the surface, but there are so many talented people who have stretched to get on this show. It’s so inspiring to me.

it's just a singing competition. These are people who do stunts, dances, magic, juggling, motorcycle acts, and more. Really, just about any sort of talent.

Yes, there are a few of the acts that are just worthless and the producers put them on for the pure entertainment value, but they wisely keep those to a minimum. Most of the performers are amazing.

One thing I really take away from this show is how little difference there is between good and great. One more practice session per week, or just a slight change in costuming or music and an act can go from good to great.

Just like life for the rest of us, the greatest determiner of success for these contestants is perserverence. The ones who make it are the ones who are doing what they love and never stop.

Relax This Weekend

Take some time to relax and be inspired this weekend. There are other great shows, but these are a fantastic starting point. I'd even suggest you open up that DVR and schedule these in so you catch the new episodes.

If there's a show I missed that should have been in here, reach out and let me know. I don't watch a lot of TV, but when I do, I want to make it time well spent.

]]>

Spinning Logs which whip you over and over and over as you hang on until it gets to the bottom of the ramp

The Salmon Ladder - Like doing pull ups but each time you pull yourself up, you have to lift the bar up about 6-8” to another set of pegs on which it can rest.

The Warped Wall is 14 feet high and it’s exactly what it sounds like, a warped wall which you have to run up and climb over.

There are countless other obstacles and some of them seem nearly impossible. There have been times when we've been watching competitor after competitor fail on one particular obsticle and wonder if it's possible. The amazing thing is, once one person makes it, it seems even more follow suit. The amazing power of the mind when we finally believe something is possible.
Some of the stories are incredbily inspriring. One example is Kacy Catanzaro, who is just 5 feet tall but she shocked everyone by being the first woman to qualify for the finals in Las Vegas. She was an animal and I’ll tell you, if you have young daughters or granddaughters, have them watch these athletes compete. It is so inspiring.
This TV show will motivate you to push through and do what you originally thought was impossible. I’m not just talking about physical abilities, but all abilities. If they can push through and make it on this course, you can get through whatever obstacle is standing in front of you.
It’s on NBC or you can stream some of the best runs on YouTube or IMDB
America’s Got Talent
This seems like a circus show on the surface, but there are so many talented people who have stretched to get on this show. It’s so inspiring to me.
it's just a singing competition. These are people who do stunts, dances, magic, juggling, motorcycle acts, and more. Really, just about any sort of talent.
Yes, there are a few of the acts that are just worthless and the producers put them on for the pure entertainment value, but they wisely keep those to a minimum. Most of the performers are amazing.
One thing I really take away from this show is how little difference there is between good and great. One more practice session per week, or just a slight change in costuming or music and an act can go from good to great.
Just like life for the rest of us, the greatest determiner of success for these contestants is perserverence. The ones who make it are the ones who are doing what they love and never stop.
Relax This Weekend
Take some time to relax and be inspired this weekend. There are other great shows, but these are a fantastic starting point. I'd even suggest you open up that DVR and schedule these in so you catch the new episodes.
If there's a show I missed that should have been in here, reach out and let me know. I don't watch a lot of TV, but when I do, I want to make it time well spent.]]>21:25cleanfun,fitness,television,inspiration,business,education,profit,talent,relaxationIs Wanting Money Wrong? Ep. 153Thu, 23 Jul 2015 01:55:48 +0000For years, we’ve been programmed to believe that wanting money isn’t very noble. In fact, having lived most of my life in the Christian sub-culture, I’ve struggled with the idea that money is bad.

When I was 18, I was involved in Multi-Level Marketing and I was turned onto books like Think and Grow Rich, As a Man Thinketh, The Magic of Thinking Big and more. I was given these by Christian leaders in our business… and the books have this quasi-Christian undertone, but …

As I got older and I became more entrenched in the evangelical Christian culture, I heard a different message. It implied … money should be the last thing on which we focus.

Yes, most will say “it’s the love of money…” But as soon as you doing something in an effort to financially improve yourself, you’re made to feel like you’re loving money.

But there was a double-standard that popped up. There was this mixed message that was given.

It Seems Working for Money Is Frowned Upon but Asking for Money is Ok

I can tell you… money isn’t bad when there’s a ministry or organization that needs it. That’s when they go after people with a lot of money; wine and dine them and treat them like gold itself, in order to curry their favor and garner a donation.

I’ve worked in Christian radio for years and been bewildered by the difference in the message between normal days and the days when we’re raising money.

Most days, it’s a message that says life is about a lot more than money and we won’t find any satisfaction in have more money.

Pledge Drive or Share-a-thon days are filled with messages that say “money is the only thing that’s going to keep us afloat” and “we need three more people with a monthly gift of $20 right now.”

We vilify people with a lot of money all year long and then for two weeks we work to gain their favor.

If You Live in the Western World - You’re Rich.

Which makes me wonder, should I be driving around in a $10,000 car (not expensive at all) talking about how working for money is bad or less noble than something else?

I always struggled with the idea that we spend $50 on a night at the movies and convince people they shouldn’t focus on making money. It’s all relative. It all depends on what you believe is normal.

But, is there a permissible norm? If I grew up in a 20,000 square foot home with a parent driving a Bentley, what would I think is “focusing too much on money?"

If you grew up in a public housing project with one car to the family and it was barely running, what would you consider is “focusing too much on money?"

Isn’t it all relative? To one person a brand new Toyota is sacrificing and to another person this is a grand luxury.

So, What Does it All Come Down To?

It comes down to your heart.

All these moral rules we’re give are NOT about segregating those who will die and go up versus those who will die and go down. It’s just not…

All this morality we find about not loving money, is to keep us from mentally living in hell right now.

Loving money will leave you frustrated, in turmoil and and tormented by the chase. Love people, love service, love helping those who have a need.

When you do this, the world has a way of rewarding you with all the feelings you hope to get from having money.

Significance

Personal Value

Purpose

Here’s an important distinction - Having money is great. Having money is an indicator you helped a lot of people get what they wanted.

This isn’t the case for everybody, but for someone who does what we said minutes ago, focuses on service and let’s the rewards come on their own, money is a great thing.

Serve More.. Have More.

But, this doesn’t answer my original question of whether WANTING money is wrong.

I honestly don’t think it’s a question of RIGHT vs WRONG.

It’s a matter of whether you’re doing what is healthiest for you. Is wanting a burger wrong? Is wanting a gin and tonic wrong?

If you want a gin and tonic because you’re hoping it will address your internal pain, it’s not WRONG in a good person vs bad-person kind of way, but it’s certainly not the best thing for you, given your needs.

The same goes for foods and yes, shopping.. houses, cars, vacations.

If you are seeking comfort for your soul in what you have, then you are honestly cutting yourself short of the amazing life you can have. Is that being a bad person or a person who is missing something?

Ask Yourself Today, What’s Motivating Me?

Try to shift to a motivation of service. Serve people. Joyously and generously give of yourself to others as they need. Don’t be foolish, don’t give something of value to you to someone who finds no value in it.

This is the scripture that says “Don’t cast your pearls before swine.”

This is just wisdom. It’s not some magical “I’ll make the God-daddy in the sky happy.” The God-man in the sky is nothing but happy. you can’t make our creator more or less happy.

]]>For years, we’ve been programmed to believe that wanting money isn’t very noble. In fact, having lived most of my life in the Christian sub-culture, I’ve struggled with the idea that money is bad.

When I was 18, I was involved in Multi-Level Marketing and I was turned onto books like Think and Grow Rich, As a Man Thinketh, The Magic of Thinking Big and more. I was given these by Christian leaders in our business… and the books have this quasi-Christian undertone, but …

As I got older and I became more entrenched in the evangelical Christian culture, I heard a different message. It implied … money should be the last thing on which we focus.

Yes, most will say “it’s the love of money…” But as soon as you doing something in an effort to financially improve yourself, you’re made to feel like you’re loving money.

But there was a double-standard that popped up. There was this mixed message that was given.

It Seems Working for Money Is Frowned Upon but Asking for Money is Ok

I can tell you… money isn’t bad when there’s a ministry or organization that needs it. That’s when they go after people with a lot of money; wine and dine them and treat them like gold itself, in order to curry their favor and garner a donation.

I’ve worked in Christian radio for years and been bewildered by the difference in the message between normal days and the days when we’re raising money.

Most days, it’s a message that says life is about a lot more than money and we won’t find any satisfaction in have more money.

Pledge Drive or Share-a-thon days are filled with messages that say “money is the only thing that’s going to keep us afloat” and “we need three more people with a monthly gift of $20 right now.”

We vilify people with a lot of money all year long and then for two weeks we work to gain their favor.

If You Live in the Western World - You’re Rich.

Which makes me wonder, should I be driving around in a $10,000 car (not expensive at all) talking about how working for money is bad or less noble than something else?

I always struggled with the idea that we spend $50 on a night at the movies and convince people they shouldn’t focus on making money. It’s all relative. It all depends on what you believe is normal.

But, is there a permissible norm? If I grew up in a 20,000 square foot home with a parent driving a Bentley, what would I think is “focusing too much on money?"

If you grew up in a public housing project with one car to the family and it was barely running, what would you consider is “focusing too much on money?"

Isn’t it all relative? To one person a brand new Toyota is sacrificing and to another person this is a grand luxury.

So, What Does it All Come Down To?

It comes down to your heart.

All these moral rules we’re give are NOT about segregating those who will die and go up versus those who will die and go down. It’s just not…

All this morality we find about not loving money, is to keep us from mentally living in hell right now.

Loving money will leave you frustrated, in turmoil and and tormented by the chase. Love people, love service, love helping those who have a need.

When you do this, the world has a way of rewarding you with all the feelings you hope to get from having money.

Significance

Personal Value

Purpose

Here’s an important distinction - Having money is great. Having money is an indicator you helped a lot of people get what they wanted.

This isn’t the case for everybody, but for someone who does what we said minutes ago, focuses on service and let’s the rewards come on their own, money is a great thing.

Serve More.. Have More.

But, this doesn’t answer my original question of whether WANTING money is wrong.

I honestly don’t think it’s a question of RIGHT vs WRONG.

It’s a matter of whether you’re doing what is healthiest for you. Is wanting a burger wrong? Is wanting a gin and tonic wrong?

If you want a gin and tonic because you’re hoping it will address your internal pain, it’s not WRONG in a good person vs bad-person kind of way, but it’s certainly not the best thing for you, given your needs.

The same goes for foods and yes, shopping.. houses, cars, vacations.

If you are seeking comfort for your soul in what you have, then you are honestly cutting yourself short of the amazing life you can have. Is that being a bad person or a person who is missing something?

Ask Yourself Today, What’s Motivating Me?

Try to shift to a motivation of service. Serve people. Joyously and generously give of yourself to others as they need. Don’t be foolish, don’t give something of value to you to someone who finds no value in it.

This is the scripture that says “Don’t cast your pearls before swine.”

This is just wisdom. It’s not some magical “I’ll make the God-daddy in the sky happy.” The God-man in the sky is nothing but happy. you can’t make our creator more or less happy.

]]>19:33cleanlove,service,money,evil,heaven,hell,charity,greed,serving,tormentWorking Hard Doesn't Make You Successful, This Does. Ep 152Thu, 16 Jul 2015 02:20:47 +0000If I had heard what I'm telling you in this episode, 20 years ago, I would be a millionaire several times over. This is number one thing that's stopped me from reaching my goals in the past. I'm so grateful I figured this out. I can't stress to you enough, learn what's in this episode and it will change your life.

Fears Stop Us

I go over the fears that stop us in a one page report I put together on the 5 Fears which kill out ability to finish. you can get it at PDesmondAdams.com/5fears or if you’re on your smart phone, send a TEXT to 33444 with the word 5Fears (all one word) in the body of the text.

Fear of Failure.. that’s one is easy for people to accept but...

Fear of Success, I’ve found is just as, if not MORE, likely to stop people. But how do you know if you have a fear of success? I go into that in the report I mentioned and a follow email I send just on that topic, but to give you an idea…. If we have a BURDENSOME view of what success looks like, we may fear it.

Fear of Mediocrity is a huge issue for me. If I’m not done with a project, then in my mind, it’s not mediocre.. it can’t be, because I’m not done with it. Think about that.

That’s just 3 of the 5 fears. It almost always comes down to fears which keep us busy but never finished.

Inertia - Don’t Stop Until It’s Done

This whole inertia thing you’ve heard about in science classes… it applied to your projects as well.

When you stop, you will have one hell of a time trying to get it started again.

If you’ve ever run a race you know first hand, when you slow down and eventually stop, you have a HUGE amount of mental and physical inertia to overcome.

Don’t stop… adjust your speed but never ever stop until you reach the finish line.

Take All You Want But Eat All You Take

When I was a kid, my dad always repeated the same thing, every meal.. He said he got it it from the Army (how could it be wrong..? haha): “Take all You Want But Eat All You Take.”

It’s actually a great mindset when it comes to our projects productivity. I mean, it’s not limiting an any way… Take all you want. Start as big a project as you desire. Set your dreams as high as you want. BUT...

Eat all you take. Meaning… if you’re going to pile up your plate, you better make sure you can eat it all. Finish what you started.

Leftovers on our plate, were eaten the next day… cold. Cold liver and onions are not that great… even if you like liver. haha..

I learned how to take a smaller bite… FINISH my plate of food and go in for another serving. Take all you want, but eat all you take.

Success Isn’t About What’s On Your Plate, It’s About What Isn’t.

Honestly, I find myself sometimes trying to impress people with what I’m doing… not what I’ve done, but what I’m doing…

Seriously, that’s not easy for me to admit. Sometimes I want people to think I’m doing something amazing… but I’m only doing it, I haven’t finished it.

If you’re in a food eating contesting, it’s not about how many hot dogs are on the plate in front of you, it’s about how many aren’t when the time is up.

Finish Something Today

Figure out what you can FINISH today. Maybe it’s a big task, a small project, or a major goal you set a while back. FINISH IT.

]]>20:01cleanprocrastination,fear,projects,finishing,success,tasks,failure Get More Done by Having an “Airplane Day." - Ep. 151Wed, 15 Jul 2015 01:42:04 +0000I don’t know who first came up with this concept, but I saw as part of list of way to get more done, on the LifeHacker website.

Later this month, I’m going to be flying to Ft. Worth Texas to give a quick presentation at Podcast Movement.

As much as I need to get my notes together and get myself prepped, I honestly was thinking “I can always do that on the plane.”

It’s amazing. When I think about what i have coming up over the next few weeks, the most focused time I can see is the time I’ll have while stuck in that tiny metal tube flying for 3-4 hours.

But, why can’t I have that same experience without spending hundreds of dollars and being squished up against the big guy next to me and having the kid behind me yanking on my chair?

Sounds so great… Haha

But I can.

The Strangers Around You

When you’re inside that giant tube, you’re surrounded… even pressed up against all sorts of people. Probably more people than you have in your office.

But you’re not being pestered like you are at work.

People leave you alone… you may get a hello, or an excuse me, but there’s no long conversation about how your weekend went… for the most part.

This is why it’s sometimes more productive to head over to a Starbucks or another public place with Wi-Fi.

I recently had to get my iPhone camera fixed and since they said it would only take a couple of hours, I didn’t really have time to go home and then return. So I went and got an iced tea and sat at the local Starbucks.

A couple of hours of free wi-fi and great passion fruit iced tea and I had a couple of show outlines written. It was great.

Just like in the plane, I was surrounded by people but I wasn’t wasting my productivity time talking with them about nothing of any real importance. It was great.

This is a wonderful way to simulate that airplane isolation in a public place.

Disconnected From Down There

Of course, today, for a few dollars you can still have all the distractions you normally have, but not long ago, being on a plane meant no internet, no email, no phone calls even. Nothing.

As soon as that cabin door closes, you put your phone in “airplane mode” and pull out the in flight magazine.

I’m more a SkyMall kind of guy. But, even that, doesn’t leave much in the way of distractions.

Obviously, it’s incredibly easy to simulate this situation down here as well. Just put that phone on Airplane mode and you will NOT be distracted.

Turn off your wi-fi on your laptop too.

If you need help doing this, you can always install a tool called Anti-Social.

It doesn’t block the entire internet, just the sites that distract you the most. Probably social media sites.

Anti-Social was originally created for Mac but it’s available on Windows machines now too. It’s $15 but it could mean a HUGE boost in income if you used it to be more productive.

You could always just grab an old computer that doesn’t have a built in wifi card and use it only for writing. You don’t need a lot of power to use a text editor. It’s just there to get the words from your head to the screen in front of you.

The World Went On

The weird thing about flying is, when we land and turn on our phone, by and large, the world went on without us.

You may have some “urgent” emails that came in but strangely, some of them have already been addressed before you had a chance to come in and “save the day."

Even when we’re not in the air, we need to remind ourselves.. people can and WILL survive without you. Your adult kids will figure out how to get the tire fixed. Your spouse will figure out how to find where you put the giant frying pan. They can survive. They’ll do ok.

If you dare put your phone into airplane mode, you’ll force this. But you can also just let them know… “Listen, for the next 3 hours, pretend I’m on a plane and you can’t reach me.”

That way, if there’s a REAL emergency, you’re available, but for 99% of the stuff going on, you’re not being interupted.

TRY IT TODAY

Go for an Airplane Day.

]]>
Go for an Airplane Day. ]]>20:15cleaniphone,phone,productivity,setting,discipline,android,distractionsShould You Avoid The Negative People In Your Live? - Ep. 150Tue, 14 Jul 2015 02:26:48 +0000I’m sure you’ve had one of those situations in your life where there’s something incredibly irritating to you. I have...

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine came to me and said “Man, I think I’m just not going to hang out with them anymore. I’m just going to do everything I can to avoid them."

But is that best?

CAUTION: Listen, what I’m talking about in this episode is an annoying relationship, not a dangerous one. Remember, if you’re in any sort of danger, you must seek safety. Don’t justify endangering yourself or your children in an effort to “fix someone.” Let a professional do that while you’re secluded in safety.

I hear so many people in the personal development world saying “choose who you surround yourself with. You don’t need to be around people who you don’t want to be around."

But… I’m not sure that’s a response driven by love. Well, it’s love, but love of self or selfish interests.

I share this all the time… we will find peace in our lives when we are driven by love.

So how do we LOVE those who annoy us or those we don’t feel compatible with? Maybe even our enemies… What’s it mean to Love our Enemies?

First… Ask yourself if the your negative impression of the other person comes from your own animosity.

Maybe It’s Just You

One way to do this is to ask others in your social circle if they see the same issues with the other person. If they don’t… you probably need to look inward even more than you thought.

We all… in EVERY situation need to look at what we can improve internally… but some of these situations may require even more internal review.

Pushing Those We Don’t Like Away Is the Cause… not the Solution.

One of our deepest core desires is to feel valued and valuable. When someone becomes difficult to deal with it’s often because they don’t feel valued.

When we push them away, we’re only compounding the situation.

Yes, it’s them who caused the issue but

Create a Security and Negativity Disappears.

It’s insecurity that causes people to react in a negative way to others. Insecurity…

Isolation is not a solution to the problem, it’s simply a removal of it.

Avoiding difficult people, even if it’s just for a short time, is really the act of avoiding an opportunity to improve ourselves.

We all want to survive. Attacking those who threaten us is simply a way for us to attempt survival.

We should ask… what is the threat to this person and why?

Avoiding Resistance Perpetuates Weakness

Resistance makes us stronger. Just like in a gym, it’s when you face resistance that your muscles are strengthened.

It’s when we face relationship resistance that our ability to have strong relationships is strengthened.

A LOT of people who suggest avoiding those we don’t like are also people who may have external happiness or external signs of happiness, but if you ask them, they don’t feel that internal… that deep happiness.

Those You Spot VS Those Who Spot For You

We have to realize the people we hang out with aren’t always our support.. sometimes we’re their support.

Know who you’re spotting for and who you need to spot for you.

Listen, if you don’t want to spot for them, why does someone else, stronger than you, want to spot for you. Maybe you’re their annoying person?

When we realize we’re all connected as one, we understand this doesn’t benefit society as a whole. It’s not improving anything.

Our mission is to love… that’s it. Love.

]]>I’m sure you’ve had one of those situations in your life where there’s something incredibly irritating to you. I have...

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine came to me and said “Man, I think I’m just not going to hang out with them anymore. I’m just going to do everything I can to avoid them."

But is that best?

CAUTION: Listen, what I’m talking about in this episode is an annoying relationship, not a dangerous one. Remember, if you’re in any sort of danger, you must seek safety. Don’t justify endangering yourself or your children in an effort to “fix someone.” Let a professional do that while you’re secluded in safety.

I hear so many people in the personal development world saying “choose who you surround yourself with. You don’t need to be around people who you don’t want to be around."

But… I’m not sure that’s a response driven by love. Well, it’s love, but love of self or selfish interests.

I share this all the time… we will find peace in our lives when we are driven by love.

So how do we LOVE those who annoy us or those we don’t feel compatible with? Maybe even our enemies… What’s it mean to Love our Enemies?

First… Ask yourself if the your negative impression of the other person comes from your own animosity.

Maybe It’s Just You

One way to do this is to ask others in your social circle if they see the same issues with the other person. If they don’t… you probably need to look inward even more than you thought.

We all… in EVERY situation need to look at what we can improve internally… but some of these situations may require even more internal review.

Pushing Those We Don’t Like Away Is the Cause… not the Solution.

One of our deepest core desires is to feel valued and valuable. When someone becomes difficult to deal with it’s often because they don’t feel valued.

When we push them away, we’re only compounding the situation.

Yes, it’s them who caused the issue but

Create a Security and Negativity Disappears.

It’s insecurity that causes people to react in a negative way to others. Insecurity…

Isolation is not a solution to the problem, it’s simply a removal of it.

Avoiding difficult people, even if it’s just for a short time, is really the act of avoiding an opportunity to improve ourselves.

We all want to survive. Attacking those who threaten us is simply a way for us to attempt survival.

We should ask… what is the threat to this person and why?

Avoiding Resistance Perpetuates Weakness

Resistance makes us stronger. Just like in a gym, it’s when you face resistance that your muscles are strengthened.

It’s when we face relationship resistance that our ability to have strong relationships is strengthened.

A LOT of people who suggest avoiding those we don’t like are also people who may have external happiness or external signs of happiness, but if you ask them, they don’t feel that internal… that deep happiness.

Those You Spot VS Those Who Spot For You

We have to realize the people we hang out with aren’t always our support.. sometimes we’re their support.

Know who you’re spotting for and who you need to spot for you.

Listen, if you don’t want to spot for them, why does someone else, stronger than you, want to spot for you. Maybe you’re their annoying person?

When we realize we’re all connected as one, we understand this doesn’t benefit society as a whole. It’s not improving anything.

Our mission is to love… that’s it. Love.

]]>19:59cleanfamily,development,relationships,personal,success,strength,failure,friendships,negativityThe Best Tool for Increased Performance - Ep. 149Fri, 10 Jul 2015 01:18:33 +0000I recorded this episode after taking a week off from most of my business work. In that week, I discovered a "tool" or even a "resource" which has increased my productivity several times over. It's also helped me with my self-discipline and mindset. I even feel a clearly understanding of my purpose. It's been amazing.

So, what is it? Well, it's the fact that I took a week off.

Seriously, I hope you're not disappointed. No, it's not something that you can download form the App Store, or purchase from the office supply store. You can't make it or buy it or even borrow it. This is one of those things you just have to go get for yourself.

Why It's a Struggle

I set myself up with the idea that I was going to put out a show every single day without fail. I love that I set that goal and I have kept to it, even when it's meant working later or extra days, but I did it. If I hadn't set that goal, it wouldn't have happened.

This past week, I "failed" to get out even one episode, but it was different. Why? Because it was intentional. I didn't just let a show slip by and hope I would catch up later. No, I said to myself (and announced to you on Twitter) that I was going to stop for a week. Then I did.

I set a return time and I held myself to it, which is what you're listening to right now. This is vital if you don't want to let a week turn into a month and eventually into a even longer. Set that return date.

Don't Take a Break in the Storm

Last week, in the past two episodes (147 and 148) I shared about a storm our family was going through at the time. It was part of the reason I needed a break, but I think an important distinction I made was to press on in the middle of the storm, until the winds had calmed and the seas had flattened. It was at that point that I said... "let's rest."

You never rest in the storm. You may not be able to do exactly what you were doing before it hit, but you do not want to curl up into a ball and hope for it to go away. That leads to destruction.

I hope you'll take a listen to this episode, because I share openly and candidly about the emotions I felt before doing this and how I feel now. The written word hardly does it any justice. So, scroll to the top and listen. It's about 19 minutes, so it won't take you that long.

]]>I recorded this episode after taking a week off from most of my business work. In that week, I discovered a "tool" or even a "resource" which has increased my productivity several times over. It's also helped me with my self-discipline and mindset. I even feel a clearly understanding of my purpose. It's been amazing.

So, what is it? Well, it's the fact that I took a week off.

Seriously, I hope you're not disappointed. No, it's not something that you can download form the App Store, or purchase from the office supply store. You can't make it or buy it or even borrow it. This is one of those things you just have to go get for yourself.

Why It's a Struggle

I set myself up with the idea that I was going to put out a show every single day without fail. I love that I set that goal and I have kept to it, even when it's meant working later or extra days, but I did it. If I hadn't set that goal, it wouldn't have happened.

This past week, I "failed" to get out even one episode, but it was different. Why? Because it was intentional. I didn't just let a show slip by and hope I would catch up later. No, I said to myself (and announced to you on Twitter) that I was going to stop for a week. Then I did.

I set a return time and I held myself to it, which is what you're listening to right now. This is vital if you don't want to let a week turn into a month and eventually into a even longer. Set that return date.

Don't Take a Break in the Storm

Last week, in the past two episodes (147 and 148) I shared about a storm our family was going through at the time. It was part of the reason I needed a break, but I think an important distinction I made was to press on in the middle of the storm, until the winds had calmed and the seas had flattened. It was at that point that I said... "let's rest."

You never rest in the storm. You may not be able to do exactly what you were doing before it hit, but you do not want to curl up into a ball and hope for it to go away. That leads to destruction.

I hope you'll take a listen to this episode, because I share openly and candidly about the emotions I felt before doing this and how I feel now. The written word hardly does it any justice. So, scroll to the top and listen. It's about 19 minutes, so it won't take you that long.

]]>19:22cleantime,self,vacation,retreat,storm,productivity,anxiety,discipline,down,rest,mindset,struggle,purposeHow to Move Forward When You're in a Storm - Ep. 147Wed, 01 Jul 2015 23:37:01 +0000To many people in the personal development world present a false reality to their audience. They present a view that their life is pretty, clean and packaged perfectly. That's not the way your life is and it's certainly not what my life looks like.

Your life is real. Your life isn’t made up of theories, it’s made up of real situations that aren’t always pretty and packaged up in a neat little bow. Too much personal development advice is presented in this way.

My life is like yours. Real and very messy sometimes.

But your success in life isn’t determined by what others do to you, but how you react to that.

When others bring a mess into your life, you can let that stop you and keep you from where you want to go, or you can bear down and push through and make progress.

When the Storms Raise at Sea

One of my dreams is to take up sailing and spend an indefinite amount of time sailing around the world with no schedule and no agenda.

I’ve learned a bit about sailing, including sailing in the midst of a storm. You try to avoid them but sometimes you find you’re stuck in the middle of one and you have to deal with it.

There’s something called furling your sails. This is when the winds get too strong and you have to shorten your sails to keep the boat under control.

You’re reducing what you expect out of your sails.

You have to do this in your life sometimes as well. This doesn’t mean you head to shore, turn around or just sit there. This mean you continue to move forward but you adjust what you’re expecting out of your sails.

Adjusting My Expectations

I’ve had a storm in life the past 24 hours. Not a storm I sailed into intentionally, but one that just showed up all of a sudden. For me, it’s a family member who’s hurt and not dealing with their emotional pains in a healthy way. You love people but you can’t fix them without their desire to join in on the process.

I’m going on 2 hours of sleep. I’m exhausting and hurting today because of this. But, I also have made a commitment to bring a new show every weekday.

This isn’t the show I expected. I had to furl my sails today. So I’m just going from my heart. I’m trusting this will resonate with you.

Trust Your Instinct

Listen, sometimes we feel like doing less because we should be doing less. Trust your instinct and measure it against your current knowledge and wisdom from the past.

I’m a firm believer that when we trust the spirit within us, amazing things happen and I am trusting this show will have a bigger impact for people than what I had planned.

I wanted to just go to bed. Felt that before?

I said… I’ll just do a 5 minute show and share that life has turmoil sometimes and I’ll mention how we need to press on and do whatever we can. We have to be in control of life not have life be in control of us.

I plopped myself down and just wanted to write a few notes for an outline.

Look at where I am now. I just took one step. Opened up my Evernote app where I keep my notes and I just started to write.

I want this to be an inspiration to you for the days when you’re overwhelmed.

Don’t compound the overwhelm by keeping your sails unfurled. By that I mean, don’t compound the overwhelm by keeping the same expectations.

I furled my sails and I pressed on through the storm… keep in mind, this isn’t about the past, this is what you’re experience live with this episode. This isn’t a cute story, this is reality right now.

In doing that, the stronger wins on my furled sails have taken this episode even further than I originally planned. That’s not uncommon in life.

Press On

If today is the day, press on. If today is great for you, remember this episode for the day in the future when you’re in a similar situation.

]]>To many people in the personal development world present a false reality to their audience. They present a view that their life is pretty, clean and packaged perfectly. That's not the way your life is and it's certainly not what my life looks like.

Your life is real. Your life isn’t made up of theories, it’s made up of real situations that aren’t always pretty and packaged up in a neat little bow. Too much personal development advice is presented in this way.

My life is like yours. Real and very messy sometimes.

But your success in life isn’t determined by what others do to you, but how you react to that.

When others bring a mess into your life, you can let that stop you and keep you from where you want to go, or you can bear down and push through and make progress.

When the Storms Raise at Sea

One of my dreams is to take up sailing and spend an indefinite amount of time sailing around the world with no schedule and no agenda.

I’ve learned a bit about sailing, including sailing in the midst of a storm. You try to avoid them but sometimes you find you’re stuck in the middle of one and you have to deal with it.

There’s something called furling your sails. This is when the winds get too strong and you have to shorten your sails to keep the boat under control.

You’re reducing what you expect out of your sails.

You have to do this in your life sometimes as well. This doesn’t mean you head to shore, turn around or just sit there. This mean you continue to move forward but you adjust what you’re expecting out of your sails.

Adjusting My Expectations

I’ve had a storm in life the past 24 hours. Not a storm I sailed into intentionally, but one that just showed up all of a sudden. For me, it’s a family member who’s hurt and not dealing with their emotional pains in a healthy way. You love people but you can’t fix them without their desire to join in on the process.

I’m going on 2 hours of sleep. I’m exhausting and hurting today because of this. But, I also have made a commitment to bring a new show every weekday.

This isn’t the show I expected. I had to furl my sails today. So I’m just going from my heart. I’m trusting this will resonate with you.

Trust Your Instinct

Listen, sometimes we feel like doing less because we should be doing less. Trust your instinct and measure it against your current knowledge and wisdom from the past.

I’m a firm believer that when we trust the spirit within us, amazing things happen and I am trusting this show will have a bigger impact for people than what I had planned.

I wanted to just go to bed. Felt that before?

I said… I’ll just do a 5 minute show and share that life has turmoil sometimes and I’ll mention how we need to press on and do whatever we can. We have to be in control of life not have life be in control of us.

I plopped myself down and just wanted to write a few notes for an outline.

Look at where I am now. I just took one step. Opened up my Evernote app where I keep my notes and I just started to write.

I want this to be an inspiration to you for the days when you’re overwhelmed.

Don’t compound the overwhelm by keeping your sails unfurled. By that I mean, don’t compound the overwhelm by keeping the same expectations.

I furled my sails and I pressed on through the storm… keep in mind, this isn’t about the past, this is what you’re experience live with this episode. This isn’t a cute story, this is reality right now.

In doing that, the stronger wins on my furled sails have taken this episode even further than I originally planned. That’s not uncommon in life.

Press On

If today is the day, press on. If today is great for you, remember this episode for the day in the future when you’re in a similar situation.

]]>17:29cleanstorms,drama,sailing,pain,success,progress,turmoil,selfdisciplineStop to Make Sure You're Being Productive Where You Should Be Productive - Ep. 146Wed, 01 Jul 2015 02:32:18 +0000We’ve discussed the importance of staying in the moment and focusing on what needs to be done right now rather than consternating checking your progress or comparing yourself to others. It’s true, it’s important. but…

As with so many other apparently “non-productive” things like play-time, we make them a vital part of our progress when we’re intentional about them. Down time or play time can be a hurdle for us if we’re not in control of when it happens. But when we do control it, it’s incredibly beneficial, actually helping us get more done during our non-downtime.

Look Up From The Road in Front of You

You may know some people who drive with their eyes only looking about 10 to 20 feed in front of them. That’s not the safest way to drive, but sometimes in life, that’s the best way to get a lot of work done. Just focus on what’s NEXT

To continue the metaphor, this is fine when you know had a break, gotten some rest and your tank is full. You have no reason to stop for several miles.

But, you can’t do this indefinitely.

When you do that, you miss the exit sign, or the rest area, or even the “last service station for the next 50 miles” sign.

That’s why you have to be intentional about pulling over and checking the tire pressure, coolant level, stretch your legs and even take a little potty break.

Ok… enough of the metaphor.

As this episode is released, it’s the last day of June 2015. We’re heading into July and we’re even at a the mid point in the year, so you may want to make extra use of this place to look at how your annual goals are doing.

Review Your Progress

One of the best ways to get more done is to have less to do. That’s a little odd, but just like a cluttered desk, a cluttered to-do list can be overwhelming and distracting, keeping you from focusing on the items that are most important in your day, or in this case, your month.

Is there something on your to do list that’s been there most of if not all of the past month?

Maybe that’s something that really isn’t as important

Rearview Review

Estimate what you can do this next month by using last month as your standard - and eventually several “last months” - evaluate what you were honestly able to get done.

Metaphor time… hahaha… I can’t help it. When my family relocated from Washington State to South Florida, we had a great time driving about 3,000 miles across the country. It’s one of my favorite memories as a family. In fact, it’s a driving factor in my desire to someday buy an motor coach and head out across the country again.

When I mapped out our trip, the first day I planned for us to go about 900 miles. In fact, I booked a hotel room for us before we even left. Well, at about 1 am, with blurry eyes I could barely keep open, we finally pulled into the hotel parking lot. Wow… That was a LONG day.

The next day, I planned on going about 750 miles. Still, this was a LONG day. By the 5th and final day, I was planning on doing about 500 (nearly half of my first day) miles.

I had to adjust based on my previous performance. Otherwise, I was setting unrealistic expectations feeling overwhelmed by what lies ahead of me.

So look back at what you did or didn’t get done in the past month. Look at the effort it took and be honest with ourself about how much more or less you should be doing.

Forward Review

Keeping in mind what you didn’t get done from last month, evaluate what you need to do this next month.

Look for items that can be delayed or even eliminated. This isn’t about procrastination, it’s about planning your schedule so you don’t overestimate what you can do. It’s about making sure fully focused on a few very high priority items rather than being mentally scattered.

Are there any new projects starting up this month which require you to be finishing up previous items?

Will those new items be more important in the grand scheme of things?

What can be delegated to someone assisting you so it’s still getting done but you’re free to do what needs your specific attention?

Weekly Breakdown

Looking at everything that’s on your schedule or to do list for next month, break them down into weekly tasks.

Your month may look manageable until you realize 90% of your tasks have a deadline at the end of the second week. So manage week by week and look for items which can be shifted without compromising your overall goals.

Keep in mind, even though your to do list looks manageable, you may have family or friends visiting from out of town. Or possibly some travel requirements for yourself which will take over part of a few days at least.

In June I had Father’s Day, my birthday and wedding anniversary all within a one week period. I missed this collision and that’s why I’m publishing Tuesday’s episode on Tuesday evening instead of Tuesday morning. It’s catch up time now. That’s bad planning.

Make sure you’re investing the time in this process. I realize it can SEEM like wasted time, but it’s not… it’s just like the metaphor about sharpening your saw or ax before heading out to cut down a tree. What seems like a waste of time really turns into a huge investment. The work is done more rapidly and the time invested pays a huge dividend.

Also make sure you’re doing your weekly and even daily reviews. Each one should take less time then the other. Your annual planning may take a full day or even a weekend, monthly planning may be a few hours, weekly planning could be just an hour and your daily could just be 10 minutes.

If you put off any of the items in that sequence, you’re going to compound the problem further down the line.

Take the time and do that monthly review. I hope you had a great June and you’re looking forward to an amazing July. At the end of July, I’ll be heading to Fort Worth for Podcast Movement and even doing a quick 10 minute presentation on Friday. If you’re going, please reach out and let me know. There are few things I want to do there more than meeting you, a listener to this show. Let’s grab lunch, coffee or even a drink. I would love to say hello.

]]>We’ve discussed the importance of staying in the moment and focusing on what needs to be done right now rather than consternating checking your progress or comparing yourself to others. It’s true, it’s important. but…

As with so many other apparently “non-productive” things like play-time, we make them a vital part of our progress when we’re intentional about them. Down time or play time can be a hurdle for us if we’re not in control of when it happens. But when we do control it, it’s incredibly beneficial, actually helping us get more done during our non-downtime.

Look Up From The Road in Front of You

You may know some people who drive with their eyes only looking about 10 to 20 feed in front of them. That’s not the safest way to drive, but sometimes in life, that’s the best way to get a lot of work done. Just focus on what’s NEXT

To continue the metaphor, this is fine when you know had a break, gotten some rest and your tank is full. You have no reason to stop for several miles.

But, you can’t do this indefinitely.

When you do that, you miss the exit sign, or the rest area, or even the “last service station for the next 50 miles” sign.

That’s why you have to be intentional about pulling over and checking the tire pressure, coolant level, stretch your legs and even take a little potty break.

Ok… enough of the metaphor.

As this episode is released, it’s the last day of June 2015. We’re heading into July and we’re even at a the mid point in the year, so you may want to make extra use of this place to look at how your annual goals are doing.

Review Your Progress

One of the best ways to get more done is to have less to do. That’s a little odd, but just like a cluttered desk, a cluttered to-do list can be overwhelming and distracting, keeping you from focusing on the items that are most important in your day, or in this case, your month.

Is there something on your to do list that’s been there most of if not all of the past month?

Maybe that’s something that really isn’t as important

Rearview Review

Estimate what you can do this next month by using last month as your standard - and eventually several “last months” - evaluate what you were honestly able to get done.

Metaphor time… hahaha… I can’t help it. When my family relocated from Washington State to South Florida, we had a great time driving about 3,000 miles across the country. It’s one of my favorite memories as a family. In fact, it’s a driving factor in my desire to someday buy an motor coach and head out across the country again.

When I mapped out our trip, the first day I planned for us to go about 900 miles. In fact, I booked a hotel room for us before we even left. Well, at about 1 am, with blurry eyes I could barely keep open, we finally pulled into the hotel parking lot. Wow… That was a LONG day.

The next day, I planned on going about 750 miles. Still, this was a LONG day. By the 5th and final day, I was planning on doing about 500 (nearly half of my first day) miles.

I had to adjust based on my previous performance. Otherwise, I was setting unrealistic expectations feeling overwhelmed by what lies ahead of me.

So look back at what you did or didn’t get done in the past month. Look at the effort it took and be honest with ourself about how much more or less you should be doing.

Forward Review

Keeping in mind what you didn’t get done from last month, evaluate what you need to do this next month.

Look for items that can be delayed or even eliminated. This isn’t about procrastination, it’s about planning your schedule so you don’t overestimate what you can do. It’s about making sure fully focused on a few very high priority items rather than being mentally scattered.

Are there any new projects starting up this month which require you to be finishing up previous items?

Will those new items be more important in the grand scheme of things?

What can be delegated to someone assisting you so it’s still getting done but you’re free to do what needs your specific attention?

Weekly Breakdown

Looking at everything that’s on your schedule or to do list for next month, break them down into weekly tasks.

Your month may look manageable until you realize 90% of your tasks have a deadline at the end of the second week. So manage week by week and look for items which can be shifted without compromising your overall goals.

Keep in mind, even though your to do list looks manageable, you may have family or friends visiting from out of town. Or possibly some travel requirements for yourself which will take over part of a few days at least.

In June I had Father’s Day, my birthday and wedding anniversary all within a one week period. I missed this collision and that’s why I’m publishing Tuesday’s episode on Tuesday evening instead of Tuesday morning. It’s catch up time now. That’s bad planning.

Make sure you’re investing the time in this process. I realize it can SEEM like wasted time, but it’s not… it’s just like the metaphor about sharpening your saw or ax before heading out to cut down a tree. What seems like a waste of time really turns into a huge investment. The work is done more rapidly and the time invested pays a huge dividend.

Also make sure you’re doing your weekly and even daily reviews. Each one should take less time then the other. Your annual planning may take a full day or even a weekend, monthly planning may be a few hours, weekly planning could be just an hour and your daily could just be 10 minutes.

If you put off any of the items in that sequence, you’re going to compound the problem further down the line.

Take the time and do that monthly review. I hope you had a great June and you’re looking forward to an amazing July. At the end of July, I’ll be heading to Fort Worth for Podcast Movement and even doing a quick 10 minute presentation on Friday. If you’re going, please reach out and let me know. There are few things I want to do there more than meeting you, a listener to this show. Let’s grab lunch, coffee or even a drink. I would love to say hello.

]]>20:05cleangoals,review,success,productivityAre You Hoping To Have Enough Money to Be Emotionally Lazy? - Ep . 145Mon, 29 Jun 2015 07:00:00 +0000I wish every person I love would listen to what's on this episode. I'm honestly incredibly proud of what is put out on here. In fact, I believe this is one of those moments when I just let the Infinite wisdom of the Universe speak through me.

We only get stronger physically when we engage in physical resistance, like weight training. We purposely cause ourselves to confront and deal with that sort of resistance.

But, why don't we do the same thing emotionally? In fact, emotionally, we oftentimes work tirelessly to avoid the resistance that comes naturally. We hope that we can some day have enough financially to help us avoid the resistance that comes emotionally.

Listen to this episode and share it with everyone you know so they can realize that the pain we're struggling through right now is going to make us strong so the burdens which will come in the future will be much lighter.

The past way for me to make your life better is to help you struggle through the burdens of today.

]]>I wish every person I love would listen to what's on this episode. I'm honestly incredibly proud of what is put out on here. In fact, I believe this is one of those moments when I just let the Infinite wisdom of the Universe speak through me.

We only get stronger physically when we engage in physical resistance, like weight training. We purposely cause ourselves to confront and deal with that sort of resistance.

But, why don't we do the same thing emotionally? In fact, emotionally, we oftentimes work tirelessly to avoid the resistance that comes naturally. We hope that we can some day have enough financially to help us avoid the resistance that comes emotionally.

Listen to this episode and share it with everyone you know so they can realize that the pain we're struggling through right now is going to make us strong so the burdens which will come in the future will be much lighter.

The past way for me to make your life better is to help you struggle through the burdens of today.

Or you look down at your shirt and you notice the buttons are straining a little more than you’d like, to keep things closed up.

That’s what happened to me.

Why Physical Success Has Been a Struggle For Me

Two things that work against me… I LOVE food. Seriously…

The other thing, I don’t don't LOVE exercise. I love competitive sports, but just getting out and going for run around the neighborhood, or picking up some weights and doing some curls… It’s boring to me.

If you’re a low fat person, you your fat percentage goal at 20% - 40% Protein and 40% Carbs. It will give you a scale to monitor.

If you add a food item to a meal, it will tell you right then and there that you’ve gone over or that this food is high in a nutrient you’re trying to keep low.

You can monitor this closely

Adding Food You’ve Eaten

This is the beauty of this app. There are SO MANY items.

I love using the barcode scanner. It has yet to miss an item.

Everything I’ve scanned has been in the system. It’s amazing.

You can search for homemade or store bought foods

There’s a massive database. People are adding the most popular recipes from you favorite websites like Food.com, AllRecipes, Epicurious, MyRecipe, and more

If it’s not there…

You can add recipes

Easy to add recipes - Type in the web address of the recipe, make sure it’s imported everything correctly and tell it how much you ate. All done.

Checks your Step Count Automatically

As you walk through your day, MyFitnessPal will automatically update based on the number of steps you take. This is already built into your iOS device, and I believe into many Androids.

If you do more than walking, just enter it like you do your food. The database is full of exercises.

Crossfit WOD’s? They’re in the system.

Your favorite machine at the gym? It’s in the system.

This is the beauty of the app

Measure Your Results

Obviously, it tracks your weight whenever you update it

It can also track any other measurement you’d like.

BodyFat

Waist size

Neck Size

Hips…

Blood Pressure (the machine at the pharmacy)

Cholesterol (blood work)

Everything is easy to track.

Social Support

There’s even a social element to the app as others you know who use the app see your updates and give you encouragement. It’s not on your Facebook page, if you don’t want it to be. They see it when they check in with their app, so it’s not public.

It’s a Great App to Make Sure You Stay on Target

Like your time meter

Like your financial budget

You don’t just use it when you’re in trouble… use it to keep you OUT of trouble.

Success is a well rounded life. Not a well rounded body…

]]>You know that feeling… when you put on your favorite jeans and … uh oh, they’re a little snug.

Or you look down at your shirt and you notice the buttons are straining a little more than you’d like, to keep things closed up.

That’s what happened to me.

Why Physical Success Has Been a Struggle For Me

Two things that work against me… I LOVE food. Seriously…

The other thing, I don’t don't LOVE exercise. I love competitive sports, but just getting out and going for run around the neighborhood, or picking up some weights and doing some curls… It’s boring to me.

If you’re a low fat person, you your fat percentage goal at 20% - 40% Protein and 40% Carbs. It will give you a scale to monitor.

If you add a food item to a meal, it will tell you right then and there that you’ve gone over or that this food is high in a nutrient you’re trying to keep low.

You can monitor this closely

Adding Food You’ve Eaten

This is the beauty of this app. There are SO MANY items.

I love using the barcode scanner. It has yet to miss an item.

Everything I’ve scanned has been in the system. It’s amazing.

You can search for homemade or store bought foods

There’s a massive database. People are adding the most popular recipes from you favorite websites like Food.com, AllRecipes, Epicurious, MyRecipe, and more

If it’s not there…

You can add recipes

Easy to add recipes - Type in the web address of the recipe, make sure it’s imported everything correctly and tell it how much you ate. All done.

Checks your Step Count Automatically

As you walk through your day, MyFitnessPal will automatically update based on the number of steps you take. This is already built into your iOS device, and I believe into many Androids.

If you do more than walking, just enter it like you do your food. The database is full of exercises.

Crossfit WOD’s? They’re in the system.

Your favorite machine at the gym? It’s in the system.

This is the beauty of the app

Measure Your Results

Obviously, it tracks your weight whenever you update it

It can also track any other measurement you’d like.

BodyFat

Waist size

Neck Size

Hips…

Blood Pressure (the machine at the pharmacy)

Cholesterol (blood work)

Everything is easy to track.

Social Support

There’s even a social element to the app as others you know who use the app see your updates and give you encouragement. It’s not on your Facebook page, if you don’t want it to be. They see it when they check in with their app, so it’s not public.

It’s a Great App to Make Sure You Stay on Target

Like your time meter

Like your financial budget

You don’t just use it when you’re in trouble… use it to keep you OUT of trouble.

Success is a well rounded life. Not a well rounded body…

]]>20:01cleanexercise,fitness,diet,body,success,calories,fat,protein,carbohydrates,weightlessIt Isn't Talent Alone That Determines Success - Ep. 142Wed, 24 Jun 2015 02:17:36 +0000As I mention in the intro, this show focuses on something I like to call “success for failures.”

The only thing is… most of us who have been made to feel like failures have so because we haven’t been able to do well on the "Grit Test."

The Grit Test

The Grit Test was developed by Harvard Research Angela Duckworth.

She went over decades of data on what brought people to greatness in life and she came up with two major factors:

People who didn’t change course just because they wanted a change. Something new.

People who didn’t change course just because the current one become difficult. Maybe that’s you.

As you can see, at the core of what she looked at was the ability to stick to the course you’re one. Basically … GRIT. Making it to the finish line…

G-R-I-T Predicts Success More Than S-A-T

Angela Duckworth took her study of grit to Penn State

She tested incoming students and found the ones with a high grit score but a low entrance exam, ended up having a higher GPA than those with a lower Grit score but higher SAT.

Smarter Kids Don’t Have to Try As Hard

Looking further into the studies of Angela Duckworth, we see how she discovered young children in a spelling bee who had a higher grit score but lower verbal IQ ended up doing just as well as students with a higher IQ and lower Grit score.

This means yes, the kids with a higher IQ could perform as well without trying as hard. But…

Here’s some hope for you…

Her studies indicated, even the kids with lower IQ’s and less self-control (less fidgety and able to do what they’re told) who had a high grit score ended up doing just as well as the kids with higher IQ’s.

So Do You Have Grit?

Let’s look at how you do on the grit test. You have to be honest or you’re not going to find out anything real.

I will say… that’s tough to see… but it also lets me know.. I have to remind myself all the time to push on… show that grit. Keep going when I want to quit. Being conscious of it is what will help you overcome.

I’ve increased my number from where I was 10 years ago, I know that for sure. So can you.

Call to Action

Take the grit test and see what you come up with. Let me know what you get.

]]>As I mention in the intro, this show focuses on something I like to call “success for failures.”

The only thing is… most of us who have been made to feel like failures have so because we haven’t been able to do well on the "Grit Test."

The Grit Test

The Grit Test was developed by Harvard Research Angela Duckworth.

She went over decades of data on what brought people to greatness in life and she came up with two major factors:

People who didn’t change course just because they wanted a change. Something new.

People who didn’t change course just because the current one become difficult. Maybe that’s you.

As you can see, at the core of what she looked at was the ability to stick to the course you’re one. Basically … GRIT. Making it to the finish line…

G-R-I-T Predicts Success More Than S-A-T

Angela Duckworth took her study of grit to Penn State

She tested incoming students and found the ones with a high grit score but a low entrance exam, ended up having a higher GPA than those with a lower Grit score but higher SAT.

Smarter Kids Don’t Have to Try As Hard

Looking further into the studies of Angela Duckworth, we see how she discovered young children in a spelling bee who had a higher grit score but lower verbal IQ ended up doing just as well as students with a higher IQ and lower Grit score.

This means yes, the kids with a higher IQ could perform as well without trying as hard. But…

Here’s some hope for you…

Her studies indicated, even the kids with lower IQ’s and less self-control (less fidgety and able to do what they’re told) who had a high grit score ended up doing just as well as the kids with higher IQ’s.

So Do You Have Grit?

Let’s look at how you do on the grit test. You have to be honest or you’re not going to find out anything real.

I will say… that’s tough to see… but it also lets me know.. I have to remind myself all the time to push on… show that grit. Keep going when I want to quit. Being conscious of it is what will help you overcome.

I’ve increased my number from where I was 10 years ago, I know that for sure. So can you.

Call to Action

Take the grit test and see what you come up with. Let me know what you get.

I’m telling you, I’m distracted and unable to finish what I’ve started. It’s a struggle to do the outline for this show.

Let’s talk about why this happens and what we can do to not only avoid it, but reverse the scenario, and it doesn't just come from cake.

Glucose is Our Fuel

Glucose is what most of our food turns into and it’s what we need for energy. Without it, we crash and burn. We have zero energy.

Research indicates the optimum level of glucose in our blood stream is 25 grams. That’s about what you’ll get from one banana but keep in mind, that glucose is consumed over time. So you have to work at keeping your levels balanced.

Too high and you suffer, too low and you suffer.

You can do that by regulating your intake through grazing or by eating foods that are low on the Glycemic Index, which means they release glucose more slowly…

Amino Acids

Tyrosine is an amino acid that makes you feel energized and alert. It is one of the ones that can cross the blood-brain barrier.

Tryptophan is another one, which has a calming effect.

Foods that are high in Tyrosine and are Low GI foods:

Seaweed

Salmon

Turkey

Egg Whites

Parmesan Cheese

Shrimp / Crab / Lobster

Pork

Mustard Greens

Fish, Tuna

Spinach

Pumpkin Seeds

High Glycemic foods (AVOID):

White Breads

Corn Flakes, Puffed Rice

White Rice

Pretzels

Popcorn

Potatoes

Mac & Cheese

Think about what most kids are eating today in the West. Is it any wonder we think they all have ADHD?

I would love to know if you have a snack you enjoy which doesn't cause you to crash and burn in the afternoons.

]]>Today, the 22nd, as I record this, is my birthday. Along with birthdays comes… birthday … cake.

Wow, I can NOT focus after that piece of birthday cake.

I’m telling you, I’m distracted and unable to finish what I’ve started. It’s a struggle to do the outline for this show.

Let’s talk about why this happens and what we can do to not only avoid it, but reverse the scenario, and it doesn't just come from cake.

Glucose is Our Fuel

Glucose is what most of our food turns into and it’s what we need for energy. Without it, we crash and burn. We have zero energy.

Research indicates the optimum level of glucose in our blood stream is 25 grams. That’s about what you’ll get from one banana but keep in mind, that glucose is consumed over time. So you have to work at keeping your levels balanced.

Too high and you suffer, too low and you suffer.

You can do that by regulating your intake through grazing or by eating foods that are low on the Glycemic Index, which means they release glucose more slowly…

Amino Acids

Tyrosine is an amino acid that makes you feel energized and alert. It is one of the ones that can cross the blood-brain barrier.

Tryptophan is another one, which has a calming effect.

Foods that are high in Tyrosine and are Low GI foods:

Seaweed

Salmon

Turkey

Egg Whites

Parmesan Cheese

Shrimp / Crab / Lobster

Pork

Mustard Greens

Fish, Tuna

Spinach

Pumpkin Seeds

High Glycemic foods (AVOID):

White Breads

Corn Flakes, Puffed Rice

White Rice

Pretzels

Popcorn

Potatoes

Mac & Cheese

Think about what most kids are eating today in the West. Is it any wonder we think they all have ADHD?

I would love to know if you have a snack you enjoy which doesn't cause you to crash and burn in the afternoons.

Every once in a while, you may look at someone else and think “wow, they are messed up.”

Every once in a while, someone may look at you and think “Wow, they are messed up."

Every once in a while, someone may look at that person and think “Wow, they are messed up.

Possible? Agree?

Every single person can have someone else look at them and think “Wow, they are messed up."

Do you think, if you followed this along for 10, 20, 100 or 1000 levels or more, you’d eventually get to someone who just has it all figured out and they’re doing fantastic?

Following this path, do you think this is a progression UPWARD in character?

Is this is character pyramid and there’s one person at the very top who has it all figured out and is beyond the judgement of others?

No. you’re right. The person we reach after following this path for 1,000 occurrences probably has 10 people who could look at certain areas of their life and think “Wow, they are messed up."

In fact, here’s what we’d find out.

Some of those people who are looking judgmentally at that 1,000th person were ones someone looked down at 300 people ago, or 250 people ago.

The truth is, it’s all a giant CIRCLE of judgement.

After we’re gone through 1,000 iterations of judgement, we’re guaranteed to have a good number of the people who were judged earlier, back in the judgement game again.

It’s almost like a never ending game of leap frog. Once someone jumps over you, it’s time to get back in line waiting for your next turn to jump over someone else… and then have someone jump over you.

It’s the Judgement Circle, inside of which we all get trapped.

A perpetual game of judgement.

There’s only one escape route… and that’s to refuse to get back in line once someone has jumped over (or judged) you. Just don’t get back in line waiting to jump over (or judge) someone else.

When we jump out of the chain, we set ourselves apart from that game.

BE CAREFUL! - This is a prime place to start judging in another way. “Those fools and all their judgement games.” Ah hah! See, there you area again, back in the game yourself.

We won’t completely eliminate the judgement others have on us, but we will slow it down dramatically.

Continue on this path and I promise, you’ll see an EXPONENTIAL DECREASE in the judgement you experience in your life.

By the very nature of things, you’ll find you change who you spend time with in life and you will decrease the power of those who are still in the chain.

Remember what I always say: Change the world around you by changing the world within you.

It will be like avoid your greatest food temptation. Maybe it’s a the perfect piece of chocolate or a beautiful basket of fried onion rings (I’m more of a crunchy salty person when it comes to temptation).

The less you taste of it, the less your craving for it becomes. The more you see the benefits of avoiding it, the greater your ability to resist it.

Call to Action

Start this with baby steps, as I always say.

Today, when you are tempted to even THINK judgementally towards someone, don’t do it.

Call yourself out and say, even out loud, if you can “I don’t know that persons situation. I don’t know what brought them here. I know they have strengths where I have weaknesses. I will allow them to be them."

Something along those lines to remind yourself, you may be able to jump over them (or judge them) in this area, but further down the chain, in another area, they’re going to be able to jump over you.

Just one time… and then remember it. Tomorrow try to do it two times you’re tempted. Or even today.

Just work at it, consciously avoiding the opportunity to jump into The Judgement Circle.

Oh, yes, you’re right… I mess this up more times than I care to think. But, I consciously work to avoid the circle. That’s what I’m hoping you’ll do as well.

We’re all in this together, all “failures” in some area of life, working towards success in others. Continuously improving and celebrating together.

]]>Follow me for a minute…

Every once in a while, you may look at someone else and think “wow, they are messed up.”

Every once in a while, someone may look at you and think “Wow, they are messed up."

Every once in a while, someone may look at that person and think “Wow, they are messed up.

Possible? Agree?

Every single person can have someone else look at them and think “Wow, they are messed up."

Do you think, if you followed this along for 10, 20, 100 or 1000 levels or more, you’d eventually get to someone who just has it all figured out and they’re doing fantastic?

Following this path, do you think this is a progression UPWARD in character?

Is this is character pyramid and there’s one person at the very top who has it all figured out and is beyond the judgement of others?

No. you’re right. The person we reach after following this path for 1,000 occurrences probably has 10 people who could look at certain areas of their life and think “Wow, they are messed up."

In fact, here’s what we’d find out.

Some of those people who are looking judgmentally at that 1,000th person were ones someone looked down at 300 people ago, or 250 people ago.

The truth is, it’s all a giant CIRCLE of judgement.

After we’re gone through 1,000 iterations of judgement, we’re guaranteed to have a good number of the people who were judged earlier, back in the judgement game again.

It’s almost like a never ending game of leap frog. Once someone jumps over you, it’s time to get back in line waiting for your next turn to jump over someone else… and then have someone jump over you.

It’s the Judgement Circle, inside of which we all get trapped.

A perpetual game of judgement.

There’s only one escape route… and that’s to refuse to get back in line once someone has jumped over (or judged) you. Just don’t get back in line waiting to jump over (or judge) someone else.

When we jump out of the chain, we set ourselves apart from that game.

BE CAREFUL! - This is a prime place to start judging in another way. “Those fools and all their judgement games.” Ah hah! See, there you area again, back in the game yourself.

We won’t completely eliminate the judgement others have on us, but we will slow it down dramatically.

Continue on this path and I promise, you’ll see an EXPONENTIAL DECREASE in the judgement you experience in your life.

By the very nature of things, you’ll find you change who you spend time with in life and you will decrease the power of those who are still in the chain.

Remember what I always say: Change the world around you by changing the world within you.

It will be like avoid your greatest food temptation. Maybe it’s a the perfect piece of chocolate or a beautiful basket of fried onion rings (I’m more of a crunchy salty person when it comes to temptation).

The less you taste of it, the less your craving for it becomes. The more you see the benefits of avoiding it, the greater your ability to resist it.

Call to Action

Start this with baby steps, as I always say.

Today, when you are tempted to even THINK judgementally towards someone, don’t do it.

Call yourself out and say, even out loud, if you can “I don’t know that persons situation. I don’t know what brought them here. I know they have strengths where I have weaknesses. I will allow them to be them."

Something along those lines to remind yourself, you may be able to jump over them (or judge them) in this area, but further down the chain, in another area, they’re going to be able to jump over you.

Just one time… and then remember it. Tomorrow try to do it two times you’re tempted. Or even today.

Just work at it, consciously avoiding the opportunity to jump into The Judgement Circle.

Oh, yes, you’re right… I mess this up more times than I care to think. But, I consciously work to avoid the circle. That’s what I’m hoping you’ll do as well.

We’re all in this together, all “failures” in some area of life, working towards success in others. Continuously improving and celebrating together.

]]>11:09cleanlove,peace,success,judgement,mindset,criticism,judgingA Tool to Help You Stickk To Your Goals - Ep. 139Fri, 19 Jun 2015 13:16:46 +0000If you listened to this past Tuesday’s episode, I shared with you some ways you can help yourself become more productive, as I do every Tuesday.

One of those ways I suggested was to create deadlines with very real consequences. The kind of consequences you’re going to do whatever you can to avoid.

Today I’m sharing with you and app that will help you do exactly that.

Stickk -

This is an app that comes out of Yale University. It’s legit. It’s got a lot of science behind it and it works!

Professor Dean Karlan teaches Economics and Professor Ian Ayers teaches law, both at Yale University. They partnered with one of their students, Jordan Goldberg, to create a tool they knew would help people achieve their goals, and it works. Here’s why…

Stickk gives you a platform where you can create what the founders call Commitment Contracts.

This is a contract you create with YOURSELF, but… there’s more to it than that. We’ve all tried that and seen it fail time and time again.

A Commitment Contract involves accountability and the power of “loss aversion."

You know what accountability is, but what about LOSS AVERSION?

You can figure out from the name, it’s about avoiding loss. But why? Why not just be motivated by gain?

Scientific studies suggest people are TWICE as motivated by avoiding loss than achieving a gain. People who lose $100 will be emotionally impacted more than someone who gains $100.

It’s because we don’t value what we don’t have. The potential to gain $100 will not motivate you as much as the real potential to lose $100. That’s the science, in a nutshell, of “Loss Aversion."

Here’s how it works:

Stickk has some predefined goals which you can use or even customize them to meet your needs. If those don’t work, you have the ability to build your own goal from scratch.

So, you start by creating a goal and then laying out the parameters of that goal. What will it take to achieve that goal and what are the specific things you have to do to get there?

Now, here’s where Stickk kicks in with some very real and powerful features.

Losing Money and Having an Honest Referee.

The creators of Stickk state that their data shows, people who have a referee to whom they’re accountable, are TWICE as likely to reach their goal. People who have something financially significant at stake are up to THREE times as likely to achieve their goal.

Put the power of both of those items together and you have Stickk.

When you sign in, you’ll have the opportunity to create a Commitment Contract where you can put something financial on the line. They don’t charge you ANYTHING unless you tell them you want to make the financial commitment and then only after you don’t achieve your goal.

So, what keeps us from cheating and just saying we did it? A referee who will look at your Commitment Journal to determine if you’re reaching your goal.

This journal is where you can post screenshots or pictures of you doing what you said you would do.

Now, it’s not just about having someone lord over you, it’s also about support. You can add in supporters who can see your commitment and progress and then cheer you along. It’s the perfect combination to getting where you want to be in life.

Your referee can be anybody you’d like.

Each time you take action toward your goal, you submit that information to Stickk and your referee will get an email saying you submitted something to your Stickk account. If they’d like, they can ask you for additional proof that you did what you said you did, or be satisfied with what you submitted.

You’re really empowering your referee. So, choose someone you trust but also make sure it’s someone you know will hold you accountable.

Here’s how you miss a goal:

You admit you missed it.

Your referee reports that you missed it

You don’t submit a commitment report in the time window you specified.

When you miss, if you have a financial stake included, your credit or debit card will be charged for the amount you set at the beginning.

As of this podcast, there is $21 million on the line for commitments.

There are just under 300,000 commitments.

That’s an average of about $72 on the line for each commitment. Make sure you choose an amount that’s going to HURT if you lose it.

Where does the money go?

You decide that. You can have it go to someone you want, or even have it go to a charity. Stickk holds the money for the charities and sends them all the stake money at one time at the end of the year. Some of the organizations they support are:

Feed the Children

Doctors without Borders

United Way

and several others.

Here’s a fun twist. You can create an Anti-Charity as a recipient of your stake.

This is a group or organization you would NEVER want to support financially. That adds a HUGE motivator for some people.

How’s this for some controversial groups?

Abortion

American’s United for Life

NARAL Pro-Choice America Foundation

Gun Rights

Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence

NRA Foundation

Political Groups

A PAC supporting Republicans

A PAC supporting Democrats

Or if you’re in the UK:

A Liberal Democrat group

A Conservative group

A Labour group

Various football (or soccer) fan clubs such as

Arsenal

Chelsea

Liverpool

Manchester United

So, I’m sure you can see how this could be VERY motivating if you choose to put enough on the line. For some of these more issues, any amount would be agonizing… for a Chelsea fan to give a penny to the Man U fan club is traumatizing.

Create some of your own… maybe your ex-husband or ex-wife. Maybe your brother who’s living in your basement supposedly unable to get a job. I’m sure you can think of some people to whom you don’t want to send ANY money.

Call to Action

Sign up and make a commitment contract for yourself. If you’d like me to referee, I’d love to help out. You’ll find me in the system as “PDesmond.”

]]>If you listened to this past Tuesday’s episode, I shared with you some ways you can help yourself become more productive, as I do every Tuesday.

One of those ways I suggested was to create deadlines with very real consequences. The kind of consequences you’re going to do whatever you can to avoid.

Today I’m sharing with you and app that will help you do exactly that.

Stickk -

This is an app that comes out of Yale University. It’s legit. It’s got a lot of science behind it and it works!

Professor Dean Karlan teaches Economics and Professor Ian Ayers teaches law, both at Yale University. They partnered with one of their students, Jordan Goldberg, to create a tool they knew would help people achieve their goals, and it works. Here’s why…

Stickk gives you a platform where you can create what the founders call Commitment Contracts.

This is a contract you create with YOURSELF, but… there’s more to it than that. We’ve all tried that and seen it fail time and time again.

A Commitment Contract involves accountability and the power of “loss aversion."

You know what accountability is, but what about LOSS AVERSION?

You can figure out from the name, it’s about avoiding loss. But why? Why not just be motivated by gain?

Scientific studies suggest people are TWICE as motivated by avoiding loss than achieving a gain. People who lose $100 will be emotionally impacted more than someone who gains $100.

It’s because we don’t value what we don’t have. The potential to gain $100 will not motivate you as much as the real potential to lose $100. That’s the science, in a nutshell, of “Loss Aversion."

Here’s how it works:

Stickk has some predefined goals which you can use or even customize them to meet your needs. If those don’t work, you have the ability to build your own goal from scratch.

So, you start by creating a goal and then laying out the parameters of that goal. What will it take to achieve that goal and what are the specific things you have to do to get there?

Now, here’s where Stickk kicks in with some very real and powerful features.

Losing Money and Having an Honest Referee.

The creators of Stickk state that their data shows, people who have a referee to whom they’re accountable, are TWICE as likely to reach their goal. People who have something financially significant at stake are up to THREE times as likely to achieve their goal.

Put the power of both of those items together and you have Stickk.

When you sign in, you’ll have the opportunity to create a Commitment Contract where you can put something financial on the line. They don’t charge you ANYTHING unless you tell them you want to make the financial commitment and then only after you don’t achieve your goal.

So, what keeps us from cheating and just saying we did it? A referee who will look at your Commitment Journal to determine if you’re reaching your goal.

This journal is where you can post screenshots or pictures of you doing what you said you would do.

Now, it’s not just about having someone lord over you, it’s also about support. You can add in supporters who can see your commitment and progress and then cheer you along. It’s the perfect combination to getting where you want to be in life.

Your referee can be anybody you’d like.

Each time you take action toward your goal, you submit that information to Stickk and your referee will get an email saying you submitted something to your Stickk account. If they’d like, they can ask you for additional proof that you did what you said you did, or be satisfied with what you submitted.

You’re really empowering your referee. So, choose someone you trust but also make sure it’s someone you know will hold you accountable.

Here’s how you miss a goal:

You admit you missed it.

Your referee reports that you missed it

You don’t submit a commitment report in the time window you specified.

When you miss, if you have a financial stake included, your credit or debit card will be charged for the amount you set at the beginning.

As of this podcast, there is $21 million on the line for commitments.

There are just under 300,000 commitments.

That’s an average of about $72 on the line for each commitment. Make sure you choose an amount that’s going to HURT if you lose it.

Where does the money go?

You decide that. You can have it go to someone you want, or even have it go to a charity. Stickk holds the money for the charities and sends them all the stake money at one time at the end of the year. Some of the organizations they support are:

Feed the Children

Doctors without Borders

United Way

and several others.

Here’s a fun twist. You can create an Anti-Charity as a recipient of your stake.

This is a group or organization you would NEVER want to support financially. That adds a HUGE motivator for some people.

How’s this for some controversial groups?

Abortion

American’s United for Life

NARAL Pro-Choice America Foundation

Gun Rights

Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence

NRA Foundation

Political Groups

A PAC supporting Republicans

A PAC supporting Democrats

Or if you’re in the UK:

A Liberal Democrat group

A Conservative group

A Labour group

Various football (or soccer) fan clubs such as

Arsenal

Chelsea

Liverpool

Manchester United

So, I’m sure you can see how this could be VERY motivating if you choose to put enough on the line. For some of these more issues, any amount would be agonizing… for a Chelsea fan to give a penny to the Man U fan club is traumatizing.

Create some of your own… maybe your ex-husband or ex-wife. Maybe your brother who’s living in your basement supposedly unable to get a job. I’m sure you can think of some people to whom you don’t want to send ANY money.

Call to Action

Sign up and make a commitment contract for yourself. If you’d like me to referee, I’d love to help out. You’ll find me in the system as “PDesmond.”

The meaning of events exists only in our mind. Outside of our mind, the events have no meaning at all.

Our emotional response to events comes from the meaning we give them and the way we FEEL about that meaning. So, given the fact that our emotions are based on our reaction to the meaning of an event and we create the meaning of the event, then we control our emotions.

Peace doesn’t come when we have peace around us, but when we have peace within us.

See, we give events meaning in our minds. Our emotional response to events is based on the meaning they have. So when we have peace within, it doesn’t matter what happens outside of us, we will have peace. Peace is independent of what is happening around us.

Let’s look at how one may react to a particular situation given our internal state.

Saturday morning, you open up your weather app and you see that it’s supposed to be 95 degrees with nothing but sunshine. How do you react to that?

If you were planning on going to the beach and spending some time in the water with your family, that’s a fantastic event. This means the water is going to feel great and the sun will help us get a tan.

If you were planning on pulling out some old tree stumps in the yard, that’s a horrible forecast. It’s going to be hot and the sun is provably going to burn you.

The event is the exact same thing… a weather forecast. The meaning of the event is determined internally.

If you just planted some grass seed and it starts raining, you react with happiness. This will help.

If your lawn needs to be mowed and it starts raining, you react disappointed, as you won’t be able to cut it until tomorrow.

There’s a verse in the the book of Matthew that says the rain falls on those who are good and those who are bad. The rain has no meaning. One sees the rain as good and the other bad. Tomorrow it could be reversed. The rain has no meaning.

Here’s a Personal Example - My View of Myself as Not Good Enough.

I’m in my late 40’s and my entire life, I’ve had a limiting belief that I was inferior to others. I wasn’t as good as my brothers and pretty much anyone else who I worked or lived life with.

I’ve shared this with you before, I’m the youngest in my family and honestly, I don’t have a lot of memories of my parents telling me I wasn’t good enough, but I do have a LOT of memories of that being associated with my older brothers. They’re about a year apart in age. This means, they did a lot of things at the same time. Tying shoes, riding a bike, hitting a baseball and learning to throw a football.

I was 4 and 5 years younger than them which isn’t a big deal at age 47, or even 27, but when you’re 7 and they’re 11 and 12, that’s a lifetime of difference, almost literally twice my age. They had learned twice as much as I had and they were at least twice as good as I was.

Because kids that age were able to go further from the house, our street would often have teenagers playing football or baseball with kids from several streets over. There never were that many kids on my street that were my age. So I was trying to fit in and play with kids who ere almost twice my age.

You can imagine how this made me feel. The one thing everyone valued, throwing or catching a football, or throwing, hitting and catching a baseball, I sucked at. This made me feel like I wasn’t good enough.

My brothers, like a LOT of older siblings, were pretty much forced to watch their little brother if they wanted to go do something. Mom and dad would say keep an eye on your little brother.”

But I wasn’t bad at everything, only the thing that this group was really good at, sports. As I got older, even in middle school, I never wanted to play team sports. I always opted to run laps around the baseball field instead of actually playing baseball. In high school, I didn’t try out for football or baseball, but instead, I joined the track team where I could compete on my own. I was good at running.

I was also good at being goofy and entertaining people. But that wasn’t really valued when you’re trying to beat the kids from the next block over. In fact, it was seen as a negative. “Come on, be serious, focus!”

Focus? I was the "King of Imagination.: I could take my GI Joe Command RV center and play for hours on end in my room. I remember having a rock fireplace and I would take my little army men and have them mount massive battles that would last two or three hours. Focus? That means turning off my imagination.

Imagine if we had a street full of kids all doing a talent show, with magic, juggling, ventriloquism and puppets. How much of an expert would that jock feel like? They can throw a ball, big deal, that doesn’t win you much in a talent show. All of a sudden they would have thoughts like “I’m not good enough."

I Gave Meaning to That Event.

There was no meaning in those footballs games other than the meaning I gave them in my own mind. Because I wanted to fit in with my older brothers and their friends, the meaning of the football game was HUGE. It determined whether I was good enough or not.

This is why it’s SO important to invest in offering your kids activities in which they can do well. Have a boy who loves to dance? Don’t take him to try out for baseball, even if you played it and you can’t wait to coach the team. He’s going to grow up feeling like he’s not good enough, in general.

Have a little girl who loves to build stuff in the garage? Mom, you need to take her to Home Depot for those fun weekend DIY workshops, even though you really wanted to help choreograph the dance recital because you loved to dance.

Know Your Real Identity

To this day, I have moments when I struggle and am influenced by my inability to do the things my siblings and peers are capable of doing.

I will say, I’ve become a LOT stronger than ever and I understand my gifting and where my talents lay. I know my gift is in communications and entertainment, not in piecing together the electronics needed to put on the show or course or whatever.

I’ve become so confident in my own ability in my own areas of expertise that I’m no longer intimidated by the pressures put on my by others. So much so, I was recently told I was being riightously indignant because I wouldn’t allow someone else to tell me I wasn’t as good of a person because I wasn’t talented in the same areas they were talented. It hurt, but I know why it was said. I’m ok with it. But, I’m not going to leave the door wide open to it.

You Are Good Enough

Understand, you may have a very narrow area of talent, but that talent is important if you make it important. Surround yourself with people who don’t value it, and you’ll feel like you’re a worthless excuse for a life.

When you shift over to a group who value your very narrow and specialized gift and you’ll suddenly feel like the world couldn’t go on without you.

My life and my sense of worth changed 180 degrees when I went from working in a lab inventing electronic material compounds to being the goofy sidekick on a morning radio show. I was told I had an amazing talent for connecting with people emotionally and that I would go far with that gift. WHAT? I thought that gift was a burden… at least it seemed like one when PhD’s were in a lab doing experiments and I was cracking jokes. Haha…

Call to Action

So, understand your place and don’t let others values determine your value. Remember, the events in your life have no meaning other than the meaning YOU put on them.

]]>Events don’t have meaning - We give the events meaning

The meaning of events exists only in our mind. Outside of our mind, the events have no meaning at all.

Our emotional response to events comes from the meaning we give them and the way we FEEL about that meaning. So, given the fact that our emotions are based on our reaction to the meaning of an event and we create the meaning of the event, then we control our emotions.

Peace doesn’t come when we have peace around us, but when we have peace within us.

See, we give events meaning in our minds. Our emotional response to events is based on the meaning they have. So when we have peace within, it doesn’t matter what happens outside of us, we will have peace. Peace is independent of what is happening around us.

Let’s look at how one may react to a particular situation given our internal state.

Saturday morning, you open up your weather app and you see that it’s supposed to be 95 degrees with nothing but sunshine. How do you react to that?

If you were planning on going to the beach and spending some time in the water with your family, that’s a fantastic event. This means the water is going to feel great and the sun will help us get a tan.

If you were planning on pulling out some old tree stumps in the yard, that’s a horrible forecast. It’s going to be hot and the sun is provably going to burn you.

The event is the exact same thing… a weather forecast. The meaning of the event is determined internally.

If you just planted some grass seed and it starts raining, you react with happiness. This will help.

If your lawn needs to be mowed and it starts raining, you react disappointed, as you won’t be able to cut it until tomorrow.

There’s a verse in the the book of Matthew that says the rain falls on those who are good and those who are bad. The rain has no meaning. One sees the rain as good and the other bad. Tomorrow it could be reversed. The rain has no meaning.

Here’s a Personal Example - My View of Myself as Not Good Enough.

I’m in my late 40’s and my entire life, I’ve had a limiting belief that I was inferior to others. I wasn’t as good as my brothers and pretty much anyone else who I worked or lived life with.

I’ve shared this with you before, I’m the youngest in my family and honestly, I don’t have a lot of memories of my parents telling me I wasn’t good enough, but I do have a LOT of memories of that being associated with my older brothers. They’re about a year apart in age. This means, they did a lot of things at the same time. Tying shoes, riding a bike, hitting a baseball and learning to throw a football.

I was 4 and 5 years younger than them which isn’t a big deal at age 47, or even 27, but when you’re 7 and they’re 11 and 12, that’s a lifetime of difference, almost literally twice my age. They had learned twice as much as I had and they were at least twice as good as I was.

Because kids that age were able to go further from the house, our street would often have teenagers playing football or baseball with kids from several streets over. There never were that many kids on my street that were my age. So I was trying to fit in and play with kids who ere almost twice my age.

You can imagine how this made me feel. The one thing everyone valued, throwing or catching a football, or throwing, hitting and catching a baseball, I sucked at. This made me feel like I wasn’t good enough.

My brothers, like a LOT of older siblings, were pretty much forced to watch their little brother if they wanted to go do something. Mom and dad would say keep an eye on your little brother.”

But I wasn’t bad at everything, only the thing that this group was really good at, sports. As I got older, even in middle school, I never wanted to play team sports. I always opted to run laps around the baseball field instead of actually playing baseball. In high school, I didn’t try out for football or baseball, but instead, I joined the track team where I could compete on my own. I was good at running.

I was also good at being goofy and entertaining people. But that wasn’t really valued when you’re trying to beat the kids from the next block over. In fact, it was seen as a negative. “Come on, be serious, focus!”

Focus? I was the "King of Imagination.: I could take my GI Joe Command RV center and play for hours on end in my room. I remember having a rock fireplace and I would take my little army men and have them mount massive battles that would last two or three hours. Focus? That means turning off my imagination.

Imagine if we had a street full of kids all doing a talent show, with magic, juggling, ventriloquism and puppets. How much of an expert would that jock feel like? They can throw a ball, big deal, that doesn’t win you much in a talent show. All of a sudden they would have thoughts like “I’m not good enough."

I Gave Meaning to That Event.

There was no meaning in those footballs games other than the meaning I gave them in my own mind. Because I wanted to fit in with my older brothers and their friends, the meaning of the football game was HUGE. It determined whether I was good enough or not.

This is why it’s SO important to invest in offering your kids activities in which they can do well. Have a boy who loves to dance? Don’t take him to try out for baseball, even if you played it and you can’t wait to coach the team. He’s going to grow up feeling like he’s not good enough, in general.

Have a little girl who loves to build stuff in the garage? Mom, you need to take her to Home Depot for those fun weekend DIY workshops, even though you really wanted to help choreograph the dance recital because you loved to dance.

Know Your Real Identity

To this day, I have moments when I struggle and am influenced by my inability to do the things my siblings and peers are capable of doing.

I will say, I’ve become a LOT stronger than ever and I understand my gifting and where my talents lay. I know my gift is in communications and entertainment, not in piecing together the electronics needed to put on the show or course or whatever.

I’ve become so confident in my own ability in my own areas of expertise that I’m no longer intimidated by the pressures put on my by others. So much so, I was recently told I was being riightously indignant because I wouldn’t allow someone else to tell me I wasn’t as good of a person because I wasn’t talented in the same areas they were talented. It hurt, but I know why it was said. I’m ok with it. But, I’m not going to leave the door wide open to it.

You Are Good Enough

Understand, you may have a very narrow area of talent, but that talent is important if you make it important. Surround yourself with people who don’t value it, and you’ll feel like you’re a worthless excuse for a life.

When you shift over to a group who value your very narrow and specialized gift and you’ll suddenly feel like the world couldn’t go on without you.

My life and my sense of worth changed 180 degrees when I went from working in a lab inventing electronic material compounds to being the goofy sidekick on a morning radio show. I was told I had an amazing talent for connecting with people emotionally and that I would go far with that gift. WHAT? I thought that gift was a burden… at least it seemed like one when PhD’s were in a lab doing experiments and I was cracking jokes. Haha…

Call to Action

So, understand your place and don’t let others values determine your value. Remember, the events in your life have no meaning other than the meaning YOU put on them.

]]>17:25cleanlife,success,calling,selfesteem,confidence,failure,purposeDefine the HABITS You Need To Reach Your Goals - Ep. 137Wed, 17 Jun 2015 00:00:00 +0000Truth is, you’re incredibly unlikely to reach any goal you set if you don’t have the habits needed to make it happen. If it’s going to be grueling work the entire time, you’re increasing your chances for failure several times over.

Last Wednesday we talked about how we can lose our willpower and self-discipline when it’s needed in numerous areas at the same time.

Discover Where You’ll Need Will Power

Let’s say you set a goal of “fitting into your old prom dress before your class reunion in 9 months."

If that’s your goal, you’re immediately going to start doing some things that probably aren’t habits for you at this point. Thinks like:

Eating less calories each day

Increasing the amount of water you drink

Decreasing the number of carbs in your diet

Running or biking several times a week

Incorporating some resistance training and

Getting enough sleep.

If you try to do ALL of those things at the exact same time, you’re probably going to fail. Your willpower and self-discipline is going to be so incredibly fatigued that you will probably fail.

But, most of us don’t really sit down and think about those things when we set the goal of “Fit into my old prom dress before the class reunion in 9 months."

Break Down The Goal Into The Needed Habits

Look at any one of your biggest goals, maybe launching a podcast, or starting an online business, or maybe learning to play the guitar. Look at that goal and write down the habits you’d need to have in order to support that goal.

Honestly evaluate whether each one of those items is already a habit of yours.

Make the Habit The Goal First

Once you have the list of habits, decide if any of them will support or help learning additional habits. For example, if reading 15 minutes a day is a habit, that might be a good one to focus on first, because it can help support your habit of writing every day. But don’t do them both at the same time. Make reading a habit then work on making writing a habit.

Spend your willpower energy on one habit at a time until the energy it takes is so small, you can easily start the next habit. Some say it’s 21 days and others say it’s over 60, on average. Some things may take even longer.

As you do this, you’ll find that the goal you had set will start to take care of itself.

The pieces will all fall together and it will seem that you’re barreling towards your bigger goal at a speed you never imagined and it’s seeming like it’s taking no effort at all.

One desired habit until it’s developed, then go on to the next one. This means you may have to project out a bit further when it comes to the ultimate goal, but it’s well worth it when you realize your chances for success have increased dramatically.

Habits Cross-Over and Benefit Future Goals

That’s more good news in this, the more you develop habits to support your goals, the more habits you’ll have for future goals.

There are some habits that will cross over into other areas. In the future you won’t have to develop those ones as they’re already there for you.

This is why it seems successful people can be successful at so many things in life. I mean the really truly successful, not just the ones making a lot of money. Remember, money doesn’t define success.

This is how some people are said to have “the Midas Touch” which means “everything they touch turns to gold.” It’s because they’ve got the core habits already in place.

Call to Action

Look at your biggest goal up ahead.

Write done the habits you’ll need to accomplish the goal

Focus on the one habit which will have the greatest impact on the other habits and the eventual goal.

]]>Truth is, you’re incredibly unlikely to reach any goal you set if you don’t have the habits needed to make it happen. If it’s going to be grueling work the entire time, you’re increasing your chances for failure several times over.

Last Wednesday we talked about how we can lose our willpower and self-discipline when it’s needed in numerous areas at the same time.

Discover Where You’ll Need Will Power

Let’s say you set a goal of “fitting into your old prom dress before your class reunion in 9 months."

If that’s your goal, you’re immediately going to start doing some things that probably aren’t habits for you at this point. Thinks like:

Eating less calories each day

Increasing the amount of water you drink

Decreasing the number of carbs in your diet

Running or biking several times a week

Incorporating some resistance training and

Getting enough sleep.

If you try to do ALL of those things at the exact same time, you’re probably going to fail. Your willpower and self-discipline is going to be so incredibly fatigued that you will probably fail.

But, most of us don’t really sit down and think about those things when we set the goal of “Fit into my old prom dress before the class reunion in 9 months."

Break Down The Goal Into The Needed Habits

Look at any one of your biggest goals, maybe launching a podcast, or starting an online business, or maybe learning to play the guitar. Look at that goal and write down the habits you’d need to have in order to support that goal.

Honestly evaluate whether each one of those items is already a habit of yours.

Make the Habit The Goal First

Once you have the list of habits, decide if any of them will support or help learning additional habits. For example, if reading 15 minutes a day is a habit, that might be a good one to focus on first, because it can help support your habit of writing every day. But don’t do them both at the same time. Make reading a habit then work on making writing a habit.

Spend your willpower energy on one habit at a time until the energy it takes is so small, you can easily start the next habit. Some say it’s 21 days and others say it’s over 60, on average. Some things may take even longer.

As you do this, you’ll find that the goal you had set will start to take care of itself.

The pieces will all fall together and it will seem that you’re barreling towards your bigger goal at a speed you never imagined and it’s seeming like it’s taking no effort at all.

One desired habit until it’s developed, then go on to the next one. This means you may have to project out a bit further when it comes to the ultimate goal, but it’s well worth it when you realize your chances for success have increased dramatically.

Habits Cross-Over and Benefit Future Goals

That’s more good news in this, the more you develop habits to support your goals, the more habits you’ll have for future goals.

There are some habits that will cross over into other areas. In the future you won’t have to develop those ones as they’re already there for you.

This is why it seems successful people can be successful at so many things in life. I mean the really truly successful, not just the ones making a lot of money. Remember, money doesn’t define success.

This is how some people are said to have “the Midas Touch” which means “everything they touch turns to gold.” It’s because they’ve got the core habits already in place.

Call to Action

Look at your biggest goal up ahead.

Write done the habits you’ll need to accomplish the goal

Focus on the one habit which will have the greatest impact on the other habits and the eventual goal.

]]>10:30cleangoals,success,habits,discipline,selfdisciplineForce Yourself To Feel Like You’re Behind - Ep. 136Tue, 16 Jun 2015 00:00:00 +0000If you're anything like me, you do your best work when you're facing a very real deadline with serious consequences or when you're part of group who you need to keep up with cause the entire group to fall behind.

In this episode, we look at ways we can capitalize on this for increasing our daily productivity. Give these a try in your day and let me know what worked best for you.

Surround Yourself With More Productive People

Hire an employee who runs faster than you. Someone you have to work at to keep up with.

Someone who is nipping at your heels and ready to do your job.

This will make you feel like you’re falling behind every step of the way. Talk about last minute… talk about forcing you to do more.

Join a Group Who Are Doing More Than You.

I experienced this lesson myself this past year, with this podcast.

I went with a friend of mine, Jeff Brown, the host of the Read to Lead Podcast, which I highly recommend you listen to regularly, to New Media Expo in Las Vegas. Jeff, my friend, was a superstar at this event.

People were walking up to Jeff, excited to meet him and talk to him about how he does his show.

Even people who were incredibly successful with their business were thrilled to say high to Jeff.

AND THEY SHOULD BE.. he’s an incredible talent and does a great job.

But, Jeff and I have very similar backgrounds in broadcasting. We have been coached by the same people and even done national radio shows on the same exact network. He ran one station on our network while I ran another one… a bigger one… with a bigger audience. Not because I’m better, it’s just because there’s a larger potential audience.

This was my peer and he had jumped WAY ahead of me… I had fallen behind.

What was his secret? What was the magic ingredient that put him further ahead?

Jeff consistently, without fanfare put out a very high quality show every week. Nearly without fail.

This motivated me to make that a priority for me. Consistently put out a great show, for me, every day. That was going to be my one singular focus. That is what comes first for me each day in my business. Do that show and then when that’s done, do whatever else fits in.

SO… Surround Yourself With People Ahead of You.

Create Deadlines with CONSEQUENCES

Another way to do give yourself the sense that you’re falling behind is to actually have deadlines which you risk missing.

Have you created deadlines for your tasks or just dates when you hope they’ll be done?

This is especially important when you’re self-employed. You set the deadlines.

Of course, clients can do that for you too, but what about when your clients quietly disappear when you miss a deadline? IF you’re a blogger or podcaster, or maybe you have a YouTube channel? What about when you can say “Well, that’s ok, I’ll just skip this week…. “ ?

You have to create deadlines with consequences.

A great way to do this is with an accountability partner or group. A mastermind...

This is one of the huge benefits of a mastermind group. When you say to your peers “I’ll have X done by next weeks meeting.” You then have to put your character on the line. You have to put your ego on the line.

If you’re mastermind group or accountability partners aren’t challenging you to keep your bond, you have to find another group. You need people who aren’t afraid to call you out in a very serious way when you repeatedly fail.

You have to create a false boss who you fear failing as much as you would a real boss.

This is why a personal trainer will help people get into shape -

If you work out five days a week and meet with a trainer one day, you will put more into those other 4 days because you don’t want to have to face them and say “I didn’t do what I told you I would do.”

Apps Available

There are some apps available that will help with this as well. They create very real consequences for failing to hit your goals.

I’m going to save these for this Friday’s episode. Each Friday I like to share a tool or resource which you can try out over the weekend. This last week, I shared the Hours and Jiffy apps for tracking your time during the day so you can find out what’s causing so much of it to seemingly disappear.

I’m still using Hours even as I write these notes. It’s helped tremendously.

This Friday I’ll share a few apps for keeping yourself accountable for what you promise you’re going to do.

Call to Action

Force yourself to fall behind today. Not by doing nothing… fall behind by surrounding yourself with people who are just ahead.

Create or join a mastermind or accountability group. Do something to help you feel like you have very read deadlines.

Create task deadlines and tell someone about them so you have to fess up if you don’t achieve them.

]]>If you're anything like me, you do your best work when you're facing a very real deadline with serious consequences or when you're part of group who you need to keep up with cause the entire group to fall behind.

In this episode, we look at ways we can capitalize on this for increasing our daily productivity. Give these a try in your day and let me know what worked best for you. Surround Yourself With More Productive People

Hire an employee who runs faster than you. Someone you have to work at to keep up with.

Someone who is nipping at your heels and ready to do your job.

This will make you feel like you’re falling behind every step of the way. Talk about last minute… talk about forcing you to do more.

Join a Group Who Are Doing More Than You.

I experienced this lesson myself this past year, with this podcast.

I went with a friend of mine, Jeff Brown, the host of the Read to Lead Podcast, which I highly recommend you listen to regularly, to New Media Expo in Las Vegas. Jeff, my friend, was a superstar at this event.

People were walking up to Jeff, excited to meet him and talk to him about how he does his show.

Even people who were incredibly successful with their business were thrilled to say high to Jeff.

AND THEY SHOULD BE.. he’s an incredible talent and does a great job.

But, Jeff and I have very similar backgrounds in broadcasting. We have been coached by the same people and even done national radio shows on the same exact network. He ran one station on our network while I ran another one… a bigger one… with a bigger audience. Not because I’m better, it’s just because there’s a larger potential audience.

This was my peer and he had jumped WAY ahead of me… I had fallen behind.

What was his secret? What was the magic ingredient that put him further ahead?

Jeff consistently, without fanfare put out a very high quality show every week. Nearly without fail.

This motivated me to make that a priority for me. Consistently put out a great show, for me, every day. That was going to be my one singular focus. That is what comes first for me each day in my business. Do that show and then when that’s done, do whatever else fits in.

SO… Surround Yourself With People Ahead of You.

Create Deadlines with CONSEQUENCES

Another way to do give yourself the sense that you’re falling behind is to actually have deadlines which you risk missing.

Have you created deadlines for your tasks or just dates when you hope they’ll be done?

This is especially important when you’re self-employed. You set the deadlines.

Of course, clients can do that for you too, but what about when your clients quietly disappear when you miss a deadline? IF you’re a blogger or podcaster, or maybe you have a YouTube channel? What about when you can say “Well, that’s ok, I’ll just skip this week…. “ ?

You have to create deadlines with consequences.

A great way to do this is with an accountability partner or group. A mastermind...

This is one of the huge benefits of a mastermind group. When you say to your peers “I’ll have X done by next weeks meeting.” You then have to put your character on the line. You have to put your ego on the line.

If you’re mastermind group or accountability partners aren’t challenging you to keep your bond, you have to find another group. You need people who aren’t afraid to call you out in a very serious way when you repeatedly fail.

You have to create a false boss who you fear failing as much as you would a real boss.

This is why a personal trainer will help people get into shape -

If you work out five days a week and meet with a trainer one day, you will put more into those other 4 days because you don’t want to have to face them and say “I didn’t do what I told you I would do.”

Apps Available

There are some apps available that will help with this as well. They create very real consequences for failing to hit your goals.

I’m going to save these for this Friday’s episode. Each Friday I like to share a tool or resource which you can try out over the weekend. This last week, I shared the Hours and Jiffy apps for tracking your time during the day so you can find out what’s causing so much of it to seemingly disappear.

I’m still using Hours even as I write these notes. It’s helped tremendously.

This Friday I’ll share a few apps for keeping yourself accountable for what you promise you’re going to do.

Call to Action

Force yourself to fall behind today. Not by doing nothing… fall behind by surrounding yourself with people who are just ahead.

Create or join a mastermind or accountability group. Do something to help you feel like you have very read deadlines.

Create task deadlines and tell someone about them so you have to fess up if you don’t achieve them.

One line with a friend because it’s going to be a great night out and you haven’t had that in a while.

That leads to two…

Then to buying a bit of your own so you can share next time (nobody likes mooch).

Then just a bit the next morning to help you get started on your day.

… and so the story goes.

These small little baby steps over time will lead to a major change in your life.

There's something similar in the aviation world

I’m a licensed pilot and one of the things we learn as pilots is just about every accident begins with one or more minor shifts outside of the safety area. One extra bag of souvenirs from the trip that put you near the weight limit. Knowing you still have plenty of fuel from the day before so you don’t need to do a visual check. Pushing on to the next airport because there’s a storm coming and you want to beat it.

See, we push ourselves just a tiny bit outside of the complete safety zone. It’s a minor shift...

The Good News

The same works in the opposite direction as well.

Small little baby steps in the right direction, over time, lead to huge positive changes in our life.

Deciding to make one little change in what you eat each day.

Just 150 calories less each day, over time… makes a huge change.

Bringing a healthy lunch to work each day instead of “figuring something out when the time comes."

The same happens with fitness.

It doesn’t take you becoming a gym rat who spends 3 hours a day working out, for you to get fit.

Doing as many push ups as possible each day and then adding 1 more each week. Just 1 more per week.

In a year, you’re doing 52 more push ups than when you started.

The same can be applied to our knowledge.

Reading 15 minutes per day before you go to bed. Just 15 minutes..

In a year, that will be over 90 hours of reading.

If the average person reads 200 words per minute, you’ll have read over a million words.

The typical book is about 60,000 words

That means, in one year, with one minor shift… you’ll have read 18 books. MORE THAN NOW.

The Same Happens in Relationships

Do the same minor incremental change with your loved ones.

Tell you wife something she did that you appreciate just once per day.

See how that change will affect your relationship in a year. Try it.

Spend the time it takes to play for 15 more minutes with your child each day.

What about spending 1 meal per week together with the entire family. No TV… Just one a week.

What about a minor change with what goes into your mind?

Just one less 30 minute TV show each week will give you 26 hours a year to do something beneficial.

What if you invested that into the lives of a local non-profit, as a volunteer?

That’s a small incremental change that is invested in a small way into someone else’s life and look at the potential ripple effect that could have.

SMALL TINY CHANGES… In the right direction, over time, will leave you with a dramatically different life.

Remember that example.. you’re walking in the desert and you decide to shift to the right by just a small amount, 5 degrees… after 12 feet, you’ve shifted about 1 foot off your original path.

After 100 feet, you’ve shifted by almost 9 feet.

After just 1 mile, you’re shifted over about 450 feet from where you would have ended up. In ONE mile..just one.

In 10 miles, you’re almost one mile off from where you started.

What if you compounded this and every mile, you shifted by 5 degrees. Small incremental shifts…

This would lead to exponential change… massive change down the road.

If you’re a math expert, let me know… I don’t want to give you bad data.

Call to Action

Make one minor change today. What is it going to be for you?

Keep it small… but commit to it for a long time. So make sure it’s something you can do for an extended period of time.

]]>Drug Addicts Didn’t Wake up and Think I”m going to get hooked on coke today.

It comes in tiny little incremental baby steps.

One line with a friend because it’s going to be a great night out and you haven’t had that in a while.

That leads to two…

Then to buying a bit of your own so you can share next time (nobody likes mooch).

Then just a bit the next morning to help you get started on your day.

… and so the story goes.

These small little baby steps over time will lead to a major change in your life.

There's something similar in the aviation world

I’m a licensed pilot and one of the things we learn as pilots is just about every accident begins with one or more minor shifts outside of the safety area. One extra bag of souvenirs from the trip that put you near the weight limit. Knowing you still have plenty of fuel from the day before so you don’t need to do a visual check. Pushing on to the next airport because there’s a storm coming and you want to beat it.

See, we push ourselves just a tiny bit outside of the complete safety zone. It’s a minor shift...

The Good News

The same works in the opposite direction as well.

Small little baby steps in the right direction, over time, lead to huge positive changes in our life.

Deciding to make one little change in what you eat each day.

Just 150 calories less each day, over time… makes a huge change.

Bringing a healthy lunch to work each day instead of “figuring something out when the time comes."

The same happens with fitness.

It doesn’t take you becoming a gym rat who spends 3 hours a day working out, for you to get fit.

Doing as many push ups as possible each day and then adding 1 more each week. Just 1 more per week.

In a year, you’re doing 52 more push ups than when you started.

The same can be applied to our knowledge.

Reading 15 minutes per day before you go to bed. Just 15 minutes..

In a year, that will be over 90 hours of reading.

If the average person reads 200 words per minute, you’ll have read over a million words.

The typical book is about 60,000 words

That means, in one year, with one minor shift… you’ll have read 18 books. MORE THAN NOW.

The Same Happens in Relationships

Do the same minor incremental change with your loved ones.

Tell you wife something she did that you appreciate just once per day.

See how that change will affect your relationship in a year. Try it.

Spend the time it takes to play for 15 more minutes with your child each day.

What about spending 1 meal per week together with the entire family. No TV… Just one a week.

What about a minor change with what goes into your mind?

Just one less 30 minute TV show each week will give you 26 hours a year to do something beneficial.

What if you invested that into the lives of a local non-profit, as a volunteer?

That’s a small incremental change that is invested in a small way into someone else’s life and look at the potential ripple effect that could have.

SMALL TINY CHANGES… In the right direction, over time, will leave you with a dramatically different life.

Remember that example.. you’re walking in the desert and you decide to shift to the right by just a small amount, 5 degrees… after 12 feet, you’ve shifted about 1 foot off your original path.

After 100 feet, you’ve shifted by almost 9 feet.

After just 1 mile, you’re shifted over about 450 feet from where you would have ended up. In ONE mile..just one.

In 10 miles, you’re almost one mile off from where you started.

What if you compounded this and every mile, you shifted by 5 degrees. Small incremental shifts…

This would lead to exponential change… massive change down the road.

If you’re a math expert, let me know… I don’t want to give you bad data.

Call to Action

Make one minor change today. What is it going to be for you?

Keep it small… but commit to it for a long time. So make sure it’s something you can do for an extended period of time.

]]>11:39cleanreading,fitness,change,drugs,improvement,success,habitMy Favorite Activity Tracker App - Ep. 134Sat, 13 Jun 2015 01:51:59 +0000It’s Friday and we’re going to look at a few tools you can use to keep track of your time each day.

If you go back and listen to Episode 131 this past Tuesday, we talked about how we can find lost time in our day.

That’s what these apps are used for. They’re kind of like the diet or fitness apps that keep track of the food you eat each day.

Most of us don’t realize how many grams of protein, fat or carbohydrates we eat each day. But when we track them we can see if things are out of balance.

Same thing with your time.

If you don’t measure it, you won’t know if you’ve improved on it. Measure.

If you’ve ever used Mint on your computer or smartphone, you’ll understand this process.

You have to know where your money is going before you can really lay out an accurate budget.

You have to know where you time is going before you can really lay out an accurate schedule.

So, let’s look at two apps that I think will help you track your time, without being a time drain themselves.

That’s something you always run into when you are trying to improve. You have to make time for “sharpening your saw."

This seem kind of basic, but it works great for quickly discerning where your time goes.

Don’t go crazy with too many colors.. that defeats the purpose.

I put one color for podcast related items.

I put another color for time killers I can control, like talking

Clients - Projects - Tasks

If you have clients you’re billing, this is very useful, but even if you don’t, this is still very usable because it helps when you’re looking at your reporting.

You can set the time tracking increments to as few as 6 minutes… that works perfect because it breaks each hour into 10 chunks. It also forces you to not worry too much about the accuracy. Don’t get crazy.

You may even want to track in 15 minute blogs. I talk about this back in Tuesdays episode. Go back and listen if you missed it.

Manual Edits

Change a task

Split a task and change a portion of it

Add a task after the fact

Adjust start or end time - click

You can manually sort where items are on the front page so the most frequently used are at the top.

The worst thing is making time tracking a task in an of itself that needs to be tracked.

These apps, both Hours and Jiffy, make it about as easy as possible. I love that.

Reminders! So you don’t miss time tracking

If you don’t have a task being tracked by a specific time each day, Hours will remind you.

I set mine to remind me every day at 7am and stop reminding me at 9pm.

It will also remind if I go 15 minutes without a task being tracked.

You can adjust all of these time.

This has helped me on a couple of occasions.

Of course, if you do forget to track a task, with both Jiffy and Hours, you can VERY easily go in and manually add it or start it and adjust the time it should have began.

I’ve done this a couple of times with driving. For some reason I get very narrow in my focus when I’m heading out somewhere.

Reporting

The whole reason for tracking your time is so you can go back and see where your time is being spent and any areas that may surprise you.

The reporting looks like it’s a little prettier on the Jiffy app for Android.

Jiffy offers a more graphical reporting, while Hours just gives you the data

Both of them allow you to look at your time over the past day, week, month, year, all time or even a custom time window.

Jiffy Tags

Another advantage the Jiffy app has is the ability to use Jiffy Tags.

These are physical tags which you can attach to certain items such as your computer screen, maybe your microphone (if you’re podcasting) and maybe something in the kitchen.

When you touch your phone to a Jiffy Tag, it will automatically change the task it’s tracking on your phone. Maybe put one in your car so you don’t forget to track your driving time (something I did frequently).

Jiffy also offers stickers which won’t change the task on your phone, but they will remind you to change it. This could help as well.

Not a Lifetime Commitment

I don’t think you need to track your time for the rest of your life.

I think a good typical week is probably enough to find any glaring time wasters in your average day.

Then you can refine your daily schedule, become more aware of those time wasters and become more efficient.

In a few months, you may want to go back and make sure nothing else has popped up taking more of your time.

But, basically, once you have it under control, you’re going to be done with this app.

Just like tracking your food, it’s a lot about awareness and making changes based on that data.

I Can’t Believe You Didn’t Mention TOGGL!

I know… if you use Toggl, you’re outraged I didn’t mention it.

Honestly, I didn’t really dig into but I do plan on giving it a try at some point.

Toggle looks great because it is a cross platform time tracker which allows you to start tracking on one device and stop tracking on another. This could come in VERY handy in some work environments.

Toggl also works great with team environments. It’s really meant for billable hours on projects.

You may have several team members working on one project and they all need to account for their time.

You can also use it just to make sure you’re pricing your services properly. Even if you’re not billing per hour.

It’s available for iOs, Android, Windows, Mac, and even Linux.

It will integrate with project management software like Trello or Asana.

It’s free for teams up to 5 people and unlimited projects.

If you want the ability to put in billable rates for each project or task,, or you need bigger team sizes, you’ll need to go up to the Pro version which is $5 per user.

Don’t COMPLICATE THIGNS

The last think you want to do is complicate this process. It shouldn’t become a burden.

Don’t stress if you don’t have the tracking down to the exact minute.

Also, don’t overanalyze your time or track time for too long.

Unless you’re required to track time for billing, this is going to be a short lived project for most people.

]]>It’s Friday and we’re going to look at a few tools you can use to keep track of your time each day.

If you go back and listen to Episode 131 this past Tuesday, we talked about how we can find lost time in our day.

That’s what these apps are used for. They’re kind of like the diet or fitness apps that keep track of the food you eat each day.

Most of us don’t realize how many grams of protein, fat or carbohydrates we eat each day. But when we track them we can see if things are out of balance.

Same thing with your time.

If you don’t measure it, you won’t know if you’ve improved on it. Measure.

If you’ve ever used Mint on your computer or smartphone, you’ll understand this process.

You have to know where your money is going before you can really lay out an accurate budget.

You have to know where you time is going before you can really lay out an accurate schedule.

So, let’s look at two apps that I think will help you track your time, without being a time drain themselves.

That’s something you always run into when you are trying to improve. You have to make time for “sharpening your saw."

This seem kind of basic, but it works great for quickly discerning where your time goes.

Don’t go crazy with too many colors.. that defeats the purpose.

I put one color for podcast related items.

I put another color for time killers I can control, like talking

Clients - Projects - Tasks

If you have clients you’re billing, this is very useful, but even if you don’t, this is still very usable because it helps when you’re looking at your reporting.

You can set the time tracking increments to as few as 6 minutes… that works perfect because it breaks each hour into 10 chunks. It also forces you to not worry too much about the accuracy. Don’t get crazy.

You may even want to track in 15 minute blogs. I talk about this back in Tuesdays episode. Go back and listen if you missed it.

Manual Edits

Change a task

Split a task and change a portion of it

Add a task after the fact

Adjust start or end time - click

You can manually sort where items are on the front page so the most frequently used are at the top.

The worst thing is making time tracking a task in an of itself that needs to be tracked.

These apps, both Hours and Jiffy, make it about as easy as possible. I love that.

Reminders! So you don’t miss time tracking

If you don’t have a task being tracked by a specific time each day, Hours will remind you.

I set mine to remind me every day at 7am and stop reminding me at 9pm.

It will also remind if I go 15 minutes without a task being tracked.

You can adjust all of these time.

This has helped me on a couple of occasions.

Of course, if you do forget to track a task, with both Jiffy and Hours, you can VERY easily go in and manually add it or start it and adjust the time it should have began.

I’ve done this a couple of times with driving. For some reason I get very narrow in my focus when I’m heading out somewhere.

Reporting

The whole reason for tracking your time is so you can go back and see where your time is being spent and any areas that may surprise you.

The reporting looks like it’s a little prettier on the Jiffy app for Android.

Jiffy offers a more graphical reporting, while Hours just gives you the data

Both of them allow you to look at your time over the past day, week, month, year, all time or even a custom time window.

Jiffy Tags

Another advantage the Jiffy app has is the ability to use Jiffy Tags.

These are physical tags which you can attach to certain items such as your computer screen, maybe your microphone (if you’re podcasting) and maybe something in the kitchen.

When you touch your phone to a Jiffy Tag, it will automatically change the task it’s tracking on your phone. Maybe put one in your car so you don’t forget to track your driving time (something I did frequently).

Jiffy also offers stickers which won’t change the task on your phone, but they will remind you to change it. This could help as well.

Not a Lifetime Commitment

I don’t think you need to track your time for the rest of your life.

I think a good typical week is probably enough to find any glaring time wasters in your average day.

Then you can refine your daily schedule, become more aware of those time wasters and become more efficient.

In a few months, you may want to go back and make sure nothing else has popped up taking more of your time.

But, basically, once you have it under control, you’re going to be done with this app.

Just like tracking your food, it’s a lot about awareness and making changes based on that data.

I Can’t Believe You Didn’t Mention TOGGL!

I know… if you use Toggl, you’re outraged I didn’t mention it.

Honestly, I didn’t really dig into but I do plan on giving it a try at some point.

Toggle looks great because it is a cross platform time tracker which allows you to start tracking on one device and stop tracking on another. This could come in VERY handy in some work environments.

Toggl also works great with team environments. It’s really meant for billable hours on projects.

You may have several team members working on one project and they all need to account for their time.

You can also use it just to make sure you’re pricing your services properly. Even if you’re not billing per hour.

It’s available for iOs, Android, Windows, Mac, and even Linux.

It will integrate with project management software like Trello or Asana.

It’s free for teams up to 5 people and unlimited projects.

If you want the ability to put in billable rates for each project or task,, or you need bigger team sizes, you’ll need to go up to the Pro version which is $5 per user.

Don’t COMPLICATE THIGNS

The last think you want to do is complicate this process. It shouldn’t become a burden.

Don’t stress if you don’t have the tracking down to the exact minute.

Also, don’t overanalyze your time or track time for too long.

Unless you’re required to track time for billing, this is going to be a short lived project for most people.

]]>19:59cleantime,app,iphone,apple,productivity,android,busy,iosYour Life Sucks! So What... Be Happy - Ep. 133Fri, 12 Jun 2015 00:03:16 +0000I’m a generally a positive person and I tend to look on the positive side of things in life. It’s odd though, most people who don’t know me think that means my life is without any down times or painful moments.

Nothing could be further from the truth, at least for me.

If you’ve ever thought, “Yeah, I’d be positive too if I was living their life, but I’m not. My life is a mess and I’m the one who messed it up!” Well, good news, ME TOO!

But I’m still positive.

So, as someone who is considered a generally positive person, I want to share with you some truths about us positive happy people that you might not know.

5 Things you didn’t know about positive people.

1. We’re Flawed

Yep, I’ve got a lot to work on in my life still. This is something I openly share on this show all the time. In fact, I’m working to set myself apart from most people who are teaching in the Personal Development space. I want to be very open about the fact that I don’t have it all perfected.

Yes, I’ve studied all of this stuff a LOT more than most people, but honestly, that’s because I have had a lot to figure out about myself.

I guess one difference with me and obviously with you (because you listen to this show) is that we want to get better. If I was just as flawed but didn’t care about getting better, I wouldn’t have learned all I have over the years.

As I say this, I do realize I’m not the same as the masses. I work at getting better, I put what I learn into practice, but that just means I’m going out swinging the bat instead of sitting in the dug out. It doesn’t mean I’m hitting home runs every time.

This is what leads us to number two:

2. We’re Still Good Enough

There are some people who look at the flaws they have, some more than me, some less, and think “I’m doomed. I have nothing to offer the world because I’m pretty dang messed up.”

I remember one of the things I learned years ago when I used to be involved in a multi-level marketing business… the people in the big giant houses with the fancy cars are broke too. They end up with the same amount of money as you do at the end of each month. Most of them.

I used to be intimated by talking to those people until I realized that they needed more money just as much as I did. That’s when I realized I was good enough to talk to them about what I was doing.

Now, I’m not in that type of business any more, but it was a great lesson to learn.

I’m good enough to share with you what I know and you want to know. That doesn’t mean I know more about everything than you do. You probably know more about electrical systems than me. Or you may know more about how to grow your own vegetables than me. But when it comes to what I’m focused on… I’m good enough.

3. Our Life is Flawed

Tony Robbins went through a divorce. Yep, Tony Robbins, the guy who taught people about personal power, went through a divorce. His life isn’t perfect.

I’ve spent years in Christian radio and I’ve met and hung out with all the major artists. I won’t name names, but I will tell you, that guy up on stage singing about how great God is in their life… they’re on anti-depressants because their life is falling apart.

If I turned on my camera on my laptop right now and left it on for 24 hours, you’d probably be a little frightened… not just tomorrow morning when I wake up and look horrible, but you’d see my wife come in and tell me what one of the kids did that day. Or you’d see me composing myself as I try to figure out how I’m going to get everything done that needs to be done today.

Maybe you’d hear us talking about tragedies in our past. Dealing with the after effects of sexual abuse, and betrayal, seeing family members arrested and visiting them in jail. Having other family members say hurtful things about me because they don’t know the whole story. It happens regularly.

But you know what… it happens to everyone. You may not have had to deal with arrests, you may not have had to deal with sexual abuse, but you’ve had to deal with something.

Just like Tony Robbins who had to deal with divorce and the Christian superstar who has dealt with suicidal thoughts. We’re all dealing with stuff.

This is really getting into number four:

4. We Know You’re Flawed Too

See, when I know you’re flawed and I’m open about my flaws, I suddenly become a LOT less judgmental. That’s what helps us be positive.

When I try to hide my flaws and even go so far as to shine a spotlight on your flaws so people won’t notice mine, I tend to always be looking for the negative in others. I have to look for it, or I won’t know where to shine that spotlight when I need it taken off of me.

The most judgement people I’ve met in life are typically the ones who are most frightened you’ll find out what’s wrong with them.

This is why, when we’re open about our flaws, we don’t have to worry about finding yours. In fact, when I’m open about my flaws, you’re a lot more willing to openly share yours. I don’t have to search for them, you serve them up for me. That leads to a much happier life…

When we share our flaws, we also aren’t afraid to admit we need your help, which is number five.

5. We Know We Need Your Help

This comes when we have the first four things down correctly. When I’m open about my flaws, I know you have your flaws, and I also know that because I’m good enough to help you, that means you’re good enough to help me too.

See, this is where we become humble and stop placing ourselves on a pedestal. I feel the personal development world is filled with people who are saying “follow me and I’ll help you be as awesome as I am.” That sounds great initially and they probably build their audience faster than me, but I know that’s going to be short-lived.

If I told you, follow me so you and your life will be as awesome and amazing as mine” in 2 years you'd still be flawed and your life would still had flaws in it. You’d think I was a horrible teacher and you’d move on to the next one to promise the "streets of gold."

Instead, I say “let’s go on this journey together. What you learn, I’d like to learn, and what I learn, I want to share with you.”

I need your help to make my life the best I can make it.

Why Bother? If Life Isn’t Better for Me

YES, I truly believe my life today is pretty darn good, but flawless? No way. Better than it was in the past? Well, I certainly handle it a lot better than I did in the past.

Peace in our lives doesn’t come because we have peace around us, it comes because we have peace within us.

We need to realize exactly what I say all the time, we change the world AROUND us by first changing the world WITHIN us. This doesn’t mean we suddenly have butterflies flittering around our head and birds singing over our shoulder, but it means we have a healthy approach towards all that life sends our way.

When that happens, the world tends to throw a lot less crap our way. I believe the energy we put out is the energy we cause the world around us to vibrate with. If you hit a tuning fork on a table, get it humming and then hold it next to one you haven’t hit on the table, it will eventually pick up the vibration and match it. If you’re putting out negative vibrations, the world around you will match it.

Call to Action

Be ok with what’s happened in your life and all the scars and flaws on and around you.

Commit to being open about your life and all what you’ve been through.

Give up the facade we all want to put out in order to seem “good enough."

Be happy… be positive. Life is great and when we start thinking that way, it’s only going to get better.

]]>I’m a generally a positive person and I tend to look on the positive side of things in life. It’s odd though, most people who don’t know me think that means my life is without any down times or painful moments.

Nothing could be further from the truth, at least for me.

If you’ve ever thought, “Yeah, I’d be positive too if I was living their life, but I’m not. My life is a mess and I’m the one who messed it up!” Well, good news, ME TOO!

But I’m still positive.

So, as someone who is considered a generally positive person, I want to share with you some truths about us positive happy people that you might not know.

5 Things you didn’t know about positive people.

1. We’re Flawed

Yep, I’ve got a lot to work on in my life still. This is something I openly share on this show all the time. In fact, I’m working to set myself apart from most people who are teaching in the Personal Development space. I want to be very open about the fact that I don’t have it all perfected.

Yes, I’ve studied all of this stuff a LOT more than most people, but honestly, that’s because I have had a lot to figure out about myself.

I guess one difference with me and obviously with you (because you listen to this show) is that we want to get better. If I was just as flawed but didn’t care about getting better, I wouldn’t have learned all I have over the years.

As I say this, I do realize I’m not the same as the masses. I work at getting better, I put what I learn into practice, but that just means I’m going out swinging the bat instead of sitting in the dug out. It doesn’t mean I’m hitting home runs every time.

This is what leads us to number two:

2. We’re Still Good Enough

There are some people who look at the flaws they have, some more than me, some less, and think “I’m doomed. I have nothing to offer the world because I’m pretty dang messed up.”

I remember one of the things I learned years ago when I used to be involved in a multi-level marketing business… the people in the big giant houses with the fancy cars are broke too. They end up with the same amount of money as you do at the end of each month. Most of them.

I used to be intimated by talking to those people until I realized that they needed more money just as much as I did. That’s when I realized I was good enough to talk to them about what I was doing.

Now, I’m not in that type of business any more, but it was a great lesson to learn.

I’m good enough to share with you what I know and you want to know. That doesn’t mean I know more about everything than you do. You probably know more about electrical systems than me. Or you may know more about how to grow your own vegetables than me. But when it comes to what I’m focused on… I’m good enough.

3. Our Life is Flawed

Tony Robbins went through a divorce. Yep, Tony Robbins, the guy who taught people about personal power, went through a divorce. His life isn’t perfect.

I’ve spent years in Christian radio and I’ve met and hung out with all the major artists. I won’t name names, but I will tell you, that guy up on stage singing about how great God is in their life… they’re on anti-depressants because their life is falling apart.

If I turned on my camera on my laptop right now and left it on for 24 hours, you’d probably be a little frightened… not just tomorrow morning when I wake up and look horrible, but you’d see my wife come in and tell me what one of the kids did that day. Or you’d see me composing myself as I try to figure out how I’m going to get everything done that needs to be done today.

Maybe you’d hear us talking about tragedies in our past. Dealing with the after effects of sexual abuse, and betrayal, seeing family members arrested and visiting them in jail. Having other family members say hurtful things about me because they don’t know the whole story. It happens regularly.

But you know what… it happens to everyone. You may not have had to deal with arrests, you may not have had to deal with sexual abuse, but you’ve had to deal with something.

Just like Tony Robbins who had to deal with divorce and the Christian superstar who has dealt with suicidal thoughts. We’re all dealing with stuff.

This is really getting into number four:

4. We Know You’re Flawed Too

See, when I know you’re flawed and I’m open about my flaws, I suddenly become a LOT less judgmental. That’s what helps us be positive.

When I try to hide my flaws and even go so far as to shine a spotlight on your flaws so people won’t notice mine, I tend to always be looking for the negative in others. I have to look for it, or I won’t know where to shine that spotlight when I need it taken off of me.

The most judgement people I’ve met in life are typically the ones who are most frightened you’ll find out what’s wrong with them.

This is why, when we’re open about our flaws, we don’t have to worry about finding yours. In fact, when I’m open about my flaws, you’re a lot more willing to openly share yours. I don’t have to search for them, you serve them up for me. That leads to a much happier life…

When we share our flaws, we also aren’t afraid to admit we need your help, which is number five.

5. We Know We Need Your Help

This comes when we have the first four things down correctly. When I’m open about my flaws, I know you have your flaws, and I also know that because I’m good enough to help you, that means you’re good enough to help me too.

See, this is where we become humble and stop placing ourselves on a pedestal. I feel the personal development world is filled with people who are saying “follow me and I’ll help you be as awesome as I am.” That sounds great initially and they probably build their audience faster than me, but I know that’s going to be short-lived.

If I told you, follow me so you and your life will be as awesome and amazing as mine” in 2 years you'd still be flawed and your life would still had flaws in it. You’d think I was a horrible teacher and you’d move on to the next one to promise the "streets of gold."

Instead, I say “let’s go on this journey together. What you learn, I’d like to learn, and what I learn, I want to share with you.”

I need your help to make my life the best I can make it.

Why Bother? If Life Isn’t Better for Me

YES, I truly believe my life today is pretty darn good, but flawless? No way. Better than it was in the past? Well, I certainly handle it a lot better than I did in the past.

Peace in our lives doesn’t come because we have peace around us, it comes because we have peace within us.

We need to realize exactly what I say all the time, we change the world AROUND us by first changing the world WITHIN us. This doesn’t mean we suddenly have butterflies flittering around our head and birds singing over our shoulder, but it means we have a healthy approach towards all that life sends our way.

When that happens, the world tends to throw a lot less crap our way. I believe the energy we put out is the energy we cause the world around us to vibrate with. If you hit a tuning fork on a table, get it humming and then hold it next to one you haven’t hit on the table, it will eventually pick up the vibration and match it. If you’re putting out negative vibrations, the world around you will match it.

Call to Action

Be ok with what’s happened in your life and all the scars and flaws on and around you.

Commit to being open about your life and all what you’ve been through.

Give up the facade we all want to put out in order to seem “good enough."

Be happy… be positive. Life is great and when we start thinking that way, it’s only going to get better.

]]>18:58cleanlove,happiness,positive,thinking,peace,truth,joyAvoiding "Decision Fatigue" - Ep. 132Thu, 11 Jun 2015 02:06:55 +0000Our brains can only handle a certain number of decisions before they just slow down.

Prisoners facing the parole board in the morning were paroled about 70 percent of the time.

Prisoners facing the parole board in the afternoons were paroled less than 10 percent of the time.

The study indicated, the judges ability to make sound decisions wore down as time went by in the day.

A closer look at this study shows decisions in favor of parole would spike up right after a lunch or afternoon break.

A lot of decisions - or big difficult ones.

Last Wednesday in episode 127 we talked about how we could increase our self-discipline if we focused on having it in one area alone. So instead of trying to cut smoking, learn a new skill, eat healthier and start exercising, just focus on doing one of them at a time until it becomes a mindless habit and then move to the next one.

But, this idea goes beyond just our projects. It applies to all of the decisions we make each day.

The less we have to make, the more disciplined we’ll be in making good ones.

Eliminate the unnecessary decisions

I saw a very successful Facebook friend of mine the other day posted a photo of what he eats every day. No, not a bunch of photos showing each item, but one photo with the food he eats every day… as in the same thing.

This friend said, “By eliminating the need to decide on what I’m going to eat, I free my mind up to focus on important decisions that matter more than what I’m going to eat.

Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg and President Obama

This same friend said he owns 20 or more identical polo shirts other than the color. He wants to eliminate that as a fatigue factor. The same pants, the same shirt… every day. No need to agonize over what goes well with what and if you have a pair of shoes to match.

Mark Zuckerberg was once asked “Why do you wear the same exact T-Shirt every day? His response was, and I quote:

"I really want to clear my life to make it so that I have to make as few decisions as possible about anything except how to best serve this community,” He went on to point out that every decisions is using our “decision energy tank.”

President Obama said “I don’t want to make decisions about what I’m eating or wearing because I have too many other decisions to make.”

Steve Jobs wore his iconic black shirt everywhere he went. Whether it was to introduce the brand new iPhone or going in for a normal day at work, he had that same black shirt on. It was for the same reason the president and Zuckerberg cited. Decisions fatigue.

If you’ve ever spent a day at the mall, you know this decisions fatigue is real. in fact, I’m suspecting this is how Cinnabon has made a fortune. By preying on mentally fatigued shoppers who would normally say no to something like a sticky gooey cinnamon bun. Brilliant!

Just for Decision Days

This doesn’t mean you throw out all of your fun clothes, but it means, when you wake up Monday morning, you’re going to go into the closet, grab a shirt (they’re all the same) pants and shoes and go into work. No decisions no fatigue.

You can have another section of your closet where you keep your fun going out clothes. That’s fine on the weekends or for an evening event. But, for daily work… keep it to the same thing and save that decision energy for the important stuff.

Call to Action

I have to admit, I’m entrigued. I’m working on so many things at once, I’m always feeling this decision fatigue and I know I would benefit from something like this. I’ve already started this with my weekday breakfasts and I may even do the same for lunch.

This isn’t easy for me… i love food. My wife could do this without any problems, but I thrive on variety in my food.

The clothing I think would be much easier for me. It just means I’ll have to buy a week of identical clothes so I don’t have to think about it.

Will you try this with me and report back on how it worked for you? I really want to see if this will help with self-discipline.

Prisoners facing the parole board in the morning were paroled about 70 percent of the time.

Prisoners facing the parole board in the afternoons were paroled less than 10 percent of the time.

The study indicated, the judges ability to make sound decisions wore down as time went by in the day.

A closer look at this study shows decisions in favor of parole would spike up right after a lunch or afternoon break.

A lot of decisions - or big difficult ones.

Last Wednesday in episode 127 we talked about how we could increase our self-discipline if we focused on having it in one area alone. So instead of trying to cut smoking, learn a new skill, eat healthier and start exercising, just focus on doing one of them at a time until it becomes a mindless habit and then move to the next one.

But, this idea goes beyond just our projects. It applies to all of the decisions we make each day.

The less we have to make, the more disciplined we’ll be in making good ones.

Eliminate the unnecessary decisions

I saw a very successful Facebook friend of mine the other day posted a photo of what he eats every day. No, not a bunch of photos showing each item, but one photo with the food he eats every day… as in the same thing.

This friend said, “By eliminating the need to decide on what I’m going to eat, I free my mind up to focus on important decisions that matter more than what I’m going to eat.

Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg and President Obama

This same friend said he owns 20 or more identical polo shirts other than the color. He wants to eliminate that as a fatigue factor. The same pants, the same shirt… every day. No need to agonize over what goes well with what and if you have a pair of shoes to match.

Mark Zuckerberg was once asked “Why do you wear the same exact T-Shirt every day? His response was, and I quote:

"I really want to clear my life to make it so that I have to make as few decisions as possible about anything except how to best serve this community,” He went on to point out that every decisions is using our “decision energy tank.”

President Obama said “I don’t want to make decisions about what I’m eating or wearing because I have too many other decisions to make.”

Steve Jobs wore his iconic black shirt everywhere he went. Whether it was to introduce the brand new iPhone or going in for a normal day at work, he had that same black shirt on. It was for the same reason the president and Zuckerberg cited. Decisions fatigue.

If you’ve ever spent a day at the mall, you know this decisions fatigue is real. in fact, I’m suspecting this is how Cinnabon has made a fortune. By preying on mentally fatigued shoppers who would normally say no to something like a sticky gooey cinnamon bun. Brilliant!

Just for Decision Days

This doesn’t mean you throw out all of your fun clothes, but it means, when you wake up Monday morning, you’re going to go into the closet, grab a shirt (they’re all the same) pants and shoes and go into work. No decisions no fatigue.

You can have another section of your closet where you keep your fun going out clothes. That’s fine on the weekends or for an evening event. But, for daily work… keep it to the same thing and save that decision energy for the important stuff.

Call to Action

I have to admit, I’m entrigued. I’m working on so many things at once, I’m always feeling this decision fatigue and I know I would benefit from something like this. I’ve already started this with my weekday breakfasts and I may even do the same for lunch.

This isn’t easy for me… i love food. My wife could do this without any problems, but I thrive on variety in my food.

The clothing I think would be much easier for me. It just means I’ll have to buy a week of identical clothes so I don’t have to think about it.

Will you try this with me and report back on how it worked for you? I really want to see if this will help with self-discipline.

Now.. to decide what that one piece of clothing is going to look like. Haha…

]]>13:45cleansteve,mark,jobs,president,obama,productivity,decisions,zuckerberg,selfdisciplineWhere Did All That Time Go? - Ep. 131Wed, 10 Jun 2015 13:31:08 +0000Have you ever seen one of those time-lapse video’s in a bus station or maybe in a big city intersection? Everybody is flying all over the place in this jumbled mess of massive activity. They all have somewhere to go or something to do, but when you look at it from that level, it looks like something that borders on chaos.

This is how our day can look when we glance back at it and wonder were all our time went and why we didn’t get all of our stuff done. We see a mass busy-ness with what seems like a lot of productive activity.

But…

When you slow it down, zoom in and see what actually happened, you notice, there’s one person in the train station who walked up to the newsstand and stayed there for about 30 minutes, just flipping through magazines. You notice another person who ran into a friend and 40 minutes later, said farewell and continued on.

This is what happens in our day. From a distance, it’s a mass of activity, but when we really look closer, we see the Devil in the details.

Start An Activity (or Productivity) Journal

If you ever want to know why you can’t lose weight, even though it seems like you’re trying, start a food journal.

Write down every single thing you eat and what time you ate it. Make sure you record the quantity as well. There are apps that can do this for you, including one I like called MyFitnessPal. You can use it to see if you’re staying within your calorie goals and if your macro nutrients (Protein, Fat and Carbohydrates) are in alignment with your desired diet plan (I won’t get into what I think is best… too controversial).

The same thing is often recommended when someone starts a household budget … and certainly with every business, they need to be tracking where every dollar goes and comparing it to their budget.

In households, you start by writing down EVERY penny you spend. Do it for a given period of time so you can capture as many of the infrequent items as possible. Today, we have apps like MINT which will do this automatically. Just make sure you’re assigning everything to a category and you’re including your cash expenses.

If this works for food and for money, it will work for time as well. But I’ve only met a handful of people who take the time to do this. Most people believe their too busy to spend the time it would take to write down everything they do all day long, for a few days.

BUT, I DON’T HAVE TIME

Honestly, you don’t have time because you don’t take the time to figure out where your time is going.

I was reading about someone who broke their day up into 6 minute blocks and wrote it all out on a sheet of paper and then started filling out where each 6 minutes went. 10 blocks per hour.

You can even set a reminder on your smartphone to ask “what have you been doing the last 6 minutes.

Maybe 6 minutes is too detailed… don’t let that stop you. Begin by looking at every 15 minutes just four times per hour. If it’s really tough, do 30 minute increments.

I think anything bigger than that wouldn’t give you a clear idea of what happens with your time.

You only have to do this for a few days.. a week at the MOST and it will give you SO much insight, you’ll instantly know where your time is going and you’ll be able to adjust what you expect from yourself each day.

Categorize The Results

Break down your results into several different categories.

I would definitely include something called “LOST TIME.” This is down time that wasn’t intentional. You just saw someone in the hallway and you started to chat about the NBA finals or something. Next thing you know, 20 minutes are gone.

Some other suggested categories are:

Meetings

Phone Calls

Answering Email

Research

Rest Time (intentional)

Eating

Family Time

Travel

You may have a few others that work for you.

Tools to Use

There are some great tools you can use to keep track of this, but honestly, I’m going to keep those for Friday’s episode.

Call to Action

Do this today… even if it’s just during your work hours, write down what you’re doing every 6, 10, 15, 20, or even 30 minutes. Take action

Also, go back to episode 66. I talk about creating a Time Budget. It’s really the next step after doing today’s project.

]]>Have you ever seen one of those time-lapse video’s in a bus station or maybe in a big city intersection? Everybody is flying all over the place in this jumbled mess of massive activity. They all have somewhere to go or something to do, but when you look at it from that level, it looks like something that borders on chaos.

This is how our day can look when we glance back at it and wonder were all our time went and why we didn’t get all of our stuff done. We see a mass busy-ness with what seems like a lot of productive activity.

But…

When you slow it down, zoom in and see what actually happened, you notice, there’s one person in the train station who walked up to the newsstand and stayed there for about 30 minutes, just flipping through magazines. You notice another person who ran into a friend and 40 minutes later, said farewell and continued on.

This is what happens in our day. From a distance, it’s a mass of activity, but when we really look closer, we see the Devil in the details.

Start An Activity (or Productivity) Journal

If you ever want to know why you can’t lose weight, even though it seems like you’re trying, start a food journal.

Write down every single thing you eat and what time you ate it. Make sure you record the quantity as well. There are apps that can do this for you, including one I like called MyFitnessPal. You can use it to see if you’re staying within your calorie goals and if your macro nutrients (Protein, Fat and Carbohydrates) are in alignment with your desired diet plan (I won’t get into what I think is best… too controversial).

The same thing is often recommended when someone starts a household budget … and certainly with every business, they need to be tracking where every dollar goes and comparing it to their budget.

In households, you start by writing down EVERY penny you spend. Do it for a given period of time so you can capture as many of the infrequent items as possible. Today, we have apps like MINT which will do this automatically. Just make sure you’re assigning everything to a category and you’re including your cash expenses.

If this works for food and for money, it will work for time as well. But I’ve only met a handful of people who take the time to do this. Most people believe their too busy to spend the time it would take to write down everything they do all day long, for a few days.

BUT, I DON’T HAVE TIME

Honestly, you don’t have time because you don’t take the time to figure out where your time is going.

I was reading about someone who broke their day up into 6 minute blocks and wrote it all out on a sheet of paper and then started filling out where each 6 minutes went. 10 blocks per hour.

You can even set a reminder on your smartphone to ask “what have you been doing the last 6 minutes.

Maybe 6 minutes is too detailed… don’t let that stop you. Begin by looking at every 15 minutes just four times per hour. If it’s really tough, do 30 minute increments.

I think anything bigger than that wouldn’t give you a clear idea of what happens with your time.

You only have to do this for a few days.. a week at the MOST and it will give you SO much insight, you’ll instantly know where your time is going and you’ll be able to adjust what you expect from yourself each day.

Categorize The Results

Break down your results into several different categories.

I would definitely include something called “LOST TIME.” This is down time that wasn’t intentional. You just saw someone in the hallway and you started to chat about the NBA finals or something. Next thing you know, 20 minutes are gone.

Some other suggested categories are:

Meetings

Phone Calls

Answering Email

Research

Rest Time (intentional)

Eating

Family Time

Travel

You may have a few others that work for you.

Tools to Use

There are some great tools you can use to keep track of this, but honestly, I’m going to keep those for Friday’s episode.

Call to Action

Do this today… even if it’s just during your work hours, write down what you’re doing every 6, 10, 15, 20, or even 30 minutes. Take action

Also, go back to episode 66. I talk about creating a Time Budget. It’s really the next step after doing today’s project.

]]>16:19cleantime,management,productivity,budgetWhat to Do When You Feel Lost in Life - Ep. 130 Tue, 09 Jun 2015 02:03:57 +0000I love auto racing. I used to dream of doing some cross-country rally racing back when I was in my early 20’s. I loved the complexity of it. With a rally race, it’s not like other types of auto racing where you’re on a track, you drive fast, turn left, drive fast, turn left, drive fast… and continue like this until you see someone waving that checkered flag.

If you’ve ever seen Cannonball Run, a movie from back in the 80’s, you know what a rally race is like. It’s a real race that happens every year. In Europe there are Rally races through towns and cities all the time.

In a rally race, you drive for days over long distances. You have to know where you’re ultimately going and your checkpoints along the way. I thought this was a great analogy for this episode…

Sometimes Lost is Good

Sometimes feeling lost is great. We must have down time - Sometimes our spirit our soul will force it upon us by causing us to feel “lost” or to remove our drive for a specific destination. Consider this a rest area in life. Don’t set up camp here, but but realize, you need a break from time to time. So, rest.

Sometimes we even need to just go out for a drive without a particular destination. Just go out, start driving and enjoying what’s right in front of us without being worried about where were going, if we’re on the right path to get there, whether we have enough gas, and if we’re making good time or not.

We need the mind clearing drives sometimes.

Why We Sometimes Feel Lost

Usually, at least for me, we feel “lost” because we’ve become distracted.

If you’ve ever been driving somewhere with someone and become so engaged in conversation, you completely miss your exit, you know what this is like.

When this happens, you have to first become aware of the fact that you missed your exit. Awareness of where you are at this moment. Then you have to figure out how to get back on track.

Sometimes you get so far off track, you actually have to pull over and stop while you get your barrings right, pull out a map and rechart your course.

In life, this could mean pulling over for a while… a vacation or just a day when you can get away from all the “traffic” in life… no distractions. You may even just set up an afternoon to go to beach and collect your thoughts, evaluate your destination and reassess the path you’ve chosen to take.

The last thing you should do is to try to keep driving while you pull out the map and figure out where you are and how you need to get back to where you were going. Doing this could cause a lot of issues for you and completely derail your journey.

Take the time to STOP… clear your mind.. and get back on track. STOP… that’s important.

Using a Navigator

Continuing with the “driving” analogy, you may want to consider bringing a navigator with you. Someone who will keep track of where you’re going at all times and alert you BEFORE you get off track.

A couple of ways you can do this is through a coach, accountability partner or even a mastermind group.

This is the purpose of these people in our lives. But, you have to make sure they know where you want to go and they know your plan on how to get there. We also have to make sure we give them the authority in our lives to give us direction. You can NOT argue with them and challenge everything they tell you.

In cross-country rally car races, there’s a driver and a navigator. The driver drives… watching what is right in front of them and making sure they don’t crash. The navigator looks further ahead to see if there are any detours on the horizon and get the driver ready to react to them.

Listen, if you’re just cruising along in life, you’re not racing towards a goal, you don’t need a navigator, but if you want to accomplish something amazing, you’re going to need to really stay focused on what you do well… driving the car.

At Least Use a Map or GPS

I understand if you’re “car” isn’t big enough to accommodate a navigator at this point. At the very least, use the tools which will let you know if you’re on track and where you need to go if you do get lost.

Your long and short term goals will do this for you.

Your long term goal is like the finish line in this rally race. It doesn’t mean this is the only race you’re run in your lifetime, but it’s the one you’re in right now.

Your short-term goals are where you need to go to get to the next gas station, or next check-point. Rally races usually last several days. This means you check in each night, the timer stops and you refuel, rest and recharge your body. You also make sure your map is still accurate.

Call to Action

Grab your map… designate a navigator (maybe you can navigate for them if they’ll navigate for you).

Know where you are today and where you need to be tonight, if you’re going to make it to the finish line in a few days/weeks/months or years.

If you’re lost now… PULL OVER AND STOP. Get your earrings together.

Do this today. Don’t wait… don’t keep driving aimlessly as you fiddle with your map and try to get re-reouted.

]]>I love auto racing. I used to dream of doing some cross-country rally racing back when I was in my early 20’s. I loved the complexity of it. With a rally race, it’s not like other types of auto racing where you’re on a track, you drive fast, turn left, drive fast, turn left, drive fast… and continue like this until you see someone waving that checkered flag.

If you’ve ever seen Cannonball Run, a movie from back in the 80’s, you know what a rally race is like. It’s a real race that happens every year. In Europe there are Rally races through towns and cities all the time.

In a rally race, you drive for days over long distances. You have to know where you’re ultimately going and your checkpoints along the way. I thought this was a great analogy for this episode…

Sometimes Lost is Good

Sometimes feeling lost is great. We must have down time - Sometimes our spirit our soul will force it upon us by causing us to feel “lost” or to remove our drive for a specific destination. Consider this a rest area in life. Don’t set up camp here, but but realize, you need a break from time to time. So, rest.

Sometimes we even need to just go out for a drive without a particular destination. Just go out, start driving and enjoying what’s right in front of us without being worried about where were going, if we’re on the right path to get there, whether we have enough gas, and if we’re making good time or not.

We need the mind clearing drives sometimes.

Why We Sometimes Feel Lost

Usually, at least for me, we feel “lost” because we’ve become distracted.

If you’ve ever been driving somewhere with someone and become so engaged in conversation, you completely miss your exit, you know what this is like.

When this happens, you have to first become aware of the fact that you missed your exit. Awareness of where you are at this moment. Then you have to figure out how to get back on track.

Sometimes you get so far off track, you actually have to pull over and stop while you get your barrings right, pull out a map and rechart your course.

In life, this could mean pulling over for a while… a vacation or just a day when you can get away from all the “traffic” in life… no distractions. You may even just set up an afternoon to go to beach and collect your thoughts, evaluate your destination and reassess the path you’ve chosen to take.

The last thing you should do is to try to keep driving while you pull out the map and figure out where you are and how you need to get back to where you were going. Doing this could cause a lot of issues for you and completely derail your journey.

Take the time to STOP… clear your mind.. and get back on track. STOP… that’s important.

Using a Navigator

Continuing with the “driving” analogy, you may want to consider bringing a navigator with you. Someone who will keep track of where you’re going at all times and alert you BEFORE you get off track.

A couple of ways you can do this is through a coach, accountability partner or even a mastermind group.

This is the purpose of these people in our lives. But, you have to make sure they know where you want to go and they know your plan on how to get there. We also have to make sure we give them the authority in our lives to give us direction. You can NOT argue with them and challenge everything they tell you.

In cross-country rally car races, there’s a driver and a navigator. The driver drives… watching what is right in front of them and making sure they don’t crash. The navigator looks further ahead to see if there are any detours on the horizon and get the driver ready to react to them.

Listen, if you’re just cruising along in life, you’re not racing towards a goal, you don’t need a navigator, but if you want to accomplish something amazing, you’re going to need to really stay focused on what you do well… driving the car.

At Least Use a Map or GPS

I understand if you’re “car” isn’t big enough to accommodate a navigator at this point. At the very least, use the tools which will let you know if you’re on track and where you need to go if you do get lost.

Your long and short term goals will do this for you.

Your long term goal is like the finish line in this rally race. It doesn’t mean this is the only race you’re run in your lifetime, but it’s the one you’re in right now.

Your short-term goals are where you need to go to get to the next gas station, or next check-point. Rally races usually last several days. This means you check in each night, the timer stops and you refuel, rest and recharge your body. You also make sure your map is still accurate.

Call to Action

Grab your map… designate a navigator (maybe you can navigate for them if they’ll navigate for you).

Know where you are today and where you need to be tonight, if you’re going to make it to the finish line in a few days/weeks/months or years.

If you’re lost now… PULL OVER AND STOP. Get your earrings together.

Do this today. Don’t wait… don’t keep driving aimlessly as you fiddle with your map and try to get re-reouted.

]]>15:35cleangoals,map,focus,correction,direction,restIf You Chase Two Rabbits, You'll Catch Neither - Ep. 129Sun, 07 Jun 2015 01:13:55 +0000There’s an old Russian Proverb that says “If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either one."

This is the way life can feel for people like us. We’re idea people and we have ideas popping into our head all the time. We want to catch every single one of them and we end up catching nothing.

You have a MASSIVE goal, but you just have to finish the ONE thing that’s most important right now. When you know over that domino, by finishing that one thing, it will help knock over the even bigger domino that’s next. Then by finishing or knocking down that domino, we help knock over the next bigger one.

You’ll see how knocking over one TINY domino, you cause a chain of events which knocks over a massive domino in the end.

Pereto Your Tasks

If you go back to this past Tuesdays episode (#126) How to Pereto Your Way to Productivity, you’ll hear about he method Jay and Gary use to focus our attention on the tasks that are most important.

They use a tool I used as a development engineer in the semi-conductor industry. The Pereto Effect.

80% of your outcomes are caused by 20% of your inputs.

80% of your sales come from 20% of your customers

The 80-20 rule.

Why Discipline is Important

The authors scared me initially because they said “Discipline wasn’t important.” Well, I thought they said that.

They share why so many of us can’t sustain our discipline. Because we’re trying to be disciplined in too many areas.

Maintain your discipline in ONE area, until that area becomes a HABIT.

Once something is a habit, it is a lot less taxing on our discipline. Then we can use that energy on another area we’d like to make into a habit.

The Focusing Question.

This isn’t just a book of theory, there are real tools you can put into play right now. Like the Focusing Question.

The question you need to ask yourself in order to figure out what you should be focusing on RIGHT now.

It’s in Chapter 10 of the book…

This book is a book YOU would benefit from reading right now.

I listened to it on Audiobook and I’ve loved every minute of it. I’ve implementing the processes they outline and I’m feeling a lot more clarity about what I should be doing right now. Like this Podcast… my ONE thing for today.

]]>There’s an old Russian Proverb that says “If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either one."

This is the way life can feel for people like us. We’re idea people and we have ideas popping into our head all the time. We want to catch every single one of them and we end up catching nothing.

You have a MASSIVE goal, but you just have to finish the ONE thing that’s most important right now. When you know over that domino, by finishing that one thing, it will help knock over the even bigger domino that’s next. Then by finishing or knocking down that domino, we help knock over the next bigger one.

Watch the Domino Effect Video. You’ll see how knocking over one TINY domino, you cause a chain of events which knocks over a massive domino in the end.

Pereto Your Tasks

If you go back to this past Tuesdays episode (#126) How to Pereto Your Way to Productivity, you’ll hear about he method Jay and Gary use to focus our attention on the tasks that are most important.

They use a tool I used as a development engineer in the semi-conductor industry. The Pereto Effect.

80% of your outcomes are caused by 20% of your inputs.

80% of your sales come from 20% of your customers

The 80-20 rule.

Why Discipline is Important

The authors scared me initially because they said “Discipline wasn’t important.” Well, I thought they said that.

They share why so many of us can’t sustain our discipline. Because we’re trying to be disciplined in too many areas.

Maintain your discipline in ONE area, until that area becomes a HABIT.

Once something is a habit, it is a lot less taxing on our discipline. Then we can use that energy on another area we’d like to make into a habit.

The Focusing Question.

This isn’t just a book of theory, there are real tools you can put into play right now. Like the Focusing Question.

The question you need to ask yourself in order to figure out what you should be focusing on RIGHT now.

It’s in Chapter 10 of the book…

This book is a book YOU would benefit from reading right now.

I listened to it on Audiobook and I’ve loved every minute of it. I’ve implementing the processes they outline and I’m feeling a lot more clarity about what I should be doing right now. Like this Podcast… my ONE thing for today.

]]>15:49cleanbook,focus,productivityFocused Discipline is the Key - Ep. 127Thu, 04 Jun 2015 02:36:58 +0000I’m obviously still consumed with consuming Jay Papasan’s book, The One Thing. This is like finding a vein of gold and following it to an abundance of riches.

I’m giving you “one year to master 5 things and turn them into habits.”

Daily exercise

Daily meditation

Healthy eating

Learn a new language

Learn a musical instrument.

Most people would go to work immediately, planning their day to include a bit of each one.

THIS IS WHY WE FAIL.

We’re trying to take 5 things all at once and condition our mind to make these regular habits in our life. AND we’re exhausted each day.

In addition to everything else you do, you’re trying to add in five things you’re not used to doing.

The process of learning a new habit consumes so much of our the available power in our prefrontal cortex, we’re completely tapped-out when we’re trying to learn too many things at once.

Within a couple of months, we’re distracted and slowing letting our new desired habits die off.

Now, let’s look at a new approach that will change your life.

A study published by Health Psychology Researcher Phillippa Lally in the European Journal of Social Psychology shows that the average time to form a new habit is 66 days.

This takes into consideration the simpler habit like drinking a glass of water every morning along with the more difficult ones like including daily exercise (at least difficult for me). Average is 66 days.

So, what if you forgot the other 4 habits you had to learn and focus on the one you thought might take the longest, such as learning a musical instrument.

If each of the new desired habits takes an average of 66 days to learn, it will take you (on average) 330 days to integrate all 5 habits. That leaves you 35 days of wiggle room in case one takes a bit longer.

DAILY LIFE.

This is why so many of us are failing at so much of what we want to accomplish in life. We’re trying to do it all at once.

Pick the one thing that’s most important to your success… drop the others and stay focused on the ONE THING (see, there’s that book again) until it’s a habit.

Habits take little mental effort. New tasks take tons of effort. Learning something new will tax your mind in a big way.

Doing what you’ve always done is often called a mindless task. It takes little mental power. Think about a drive you take every day. Sometimes you get to work and don’t even remember the drive (unless you’re in Southern California… you remember EVERY morning commute.).

Again, I’m giving you the summary of this. In the book The One Thing, Jay Papasan does a more in depth explanation as to why this happens. There’s a lot of science that goes into it.

Listen, you can spend the next year trying to master 5 new habits, end up frustrated you didn’t accomplish any of them, or you can drop 4 of them for the next 66 days while you master the first one and then be excited in a year when all of them are mindless habits.

What ONE THING are you going to turn into a habit over the next 66 days?

]]>I’m obviously still consumed with consuming Jay Papasan’s book, The One Thing. This is like finding a vein of gold and following it to an abundance of riches.

I’m giving you “one year to master 5 things and turn them into habits.”

Daily exercise

Daily meditation

Healthy eating

Learn a new language

Learn a musical instrument.

Most people would go to work immediately, planning their day to include a bit of each one.

THIS IS WHY WE FAIL.

We’re trying to take 5 things all at once and condition our mind to make these regular habits in our life. AND we’re exhausted each day.

In addition to everything else you do, you’re trying to add in five things you’re not used to doing.

The process of learning a new habit consumes so much of our the available power in our prefrontal cortex, we’re completely tapped-out when we’re trying to learn too many things at once.

Within a couple of months, we’re distracted and slowing letting our new desired habits die off.

Now, let’s look at a new approach that will change your life.

A study published by Health Psychology Researcher Phillippa Lally in the European Journal of Social Psychology shows that the average time to form a new habit is 66 days.

This takes into consideration the simpler habit like drinking a glass of water every morning along with the more difficult ones like including daily exercise (at least difficult for me). Average is 66 days.

So, what if you forgot the other 4 habits you had to learn and focus on the one you thought might take the longest, such as learning a musical instrument.

If each of the new desired habits takes an average of 66 days to learn, it will take you (on average) 330 days to integrate all 5 habits. That leaves you 35 days of wiggle room in case one takes a bit longer.

DAILY LIFE.

This is why so many of us are failing at so much of what we want to accomplish in life. We’re trying to do it all at once.

Pick the one thing that’s most important to your success… drop the others and stay focused on the ONE THING (see, there’s that book again) until it’s a habit.

Habits take little mental effort. New tasks take tons of effort. Learning something new will tax your mind in a big way.

Doing what you’ve always done is often called a mindless task. It takes little mental power. Think about a drive you take every day. Sometimes you get to work and don’t even remember the drive (unless you’re in Southern California… you remember EVERY morning commute.).

Again, I’m giving you the summary of this. In the book The One Thing, Jay Papasan does a more in depth explanation as to why this happens. There’s a lot of science that goes into it.

Listen, you can spend the next year trying to master 5 new habits, end up frustrated you didn’t accomplish any of them, or you can drop 4 of them for the next 66 days while you master the first one and then be excited in a year when all of them are mindless habits.

What ONE THING are you going to turn into a habit over the next 66 days?

]]>16:11cleanone,thing,success,discipline,habit,failure,selfdisciplineHow to Pereto Your Way to ProductivityWed, 03 Jun 2015 12:27:52 +0000What is the Pereto Principle?

You may not have heard of the Pereto Principle, but just about everyone has heard of the 80/20 rule. 80% of the failures in a project are caused by the top 20% of the errors.

Focus on the 20% and you’ll take care of almost all of the failures.

It’s something I used all the time when I worked as an engineer in electronic materials.

Originally, the principle came of out wealth distribution among a given population.

Most businesses will find that 80% of their sales come from just 20% of their customers. They focus on super serving this 20%.

Basically, 80% of the effect in anything is brought on by 20% of the cause.

Vilfredo Pereto showed that about 80% of the land in Italy, at the time, was owned by 20% of the population. Pareto went on to note that 80% of the peas in his garden came from 20% of the pods.

How Pereto Came to Productivity

I have to give credit, once again, to Jay Papasan, the co-author, along with Gary Keller, of The One Thing. I’ve been listening to it this past week and when I heard this technique, I knew I had to put it into practice and share it with you.

I suggest you pick up The One Thing so you get the full grasp of what Jay is teaching, but I’ll give you the summary of it all.

You probably have a very large to-do list associated with a specific project.

So, what should you work on first? This is where the Pereto principle comes into effect.

Determine what is your ultimate desired outcome. Maybe you’re building a website

Brainstorm and list everything that needs to be done to get that website launched. Everything

Now go through and start to sort the items based on how much they’ll impact the final outcome.

You’ll eventually notice that about 20% of the items will impact 80% of the final result.

You’ll now know exactly what you need to focus on first.

You can use this with just about any project

Drive the Pereto Deep by "Peretoing" your results

So, that gives you the biggest items, but what do you work on NOW?

Simply take that 20% and sort it again, so you can determine the 20% of the 20% which will give you the TOP 4% of your tasks which will produce the absolute biggest impact to the final desired outcome.

If 4% is still too broad of a focus, simply Pereto it out again, until you have a very clear idea of what needs to be done right now.

Pereto on Many Levels

If you’re like me, you have numerous projects on your desk at any given time. Obviously, if you focus on the top 20% or even top 4% of each project, you’ll never complete them. Sure, you’ll be 90+% of the way there, but you’ll never really finish.

So, you may have to Pereto your project.

Given your overall business goals, which projects are the most important?

Find the top 20% of the projects and you’ll probably have 80% of your business goals taken care of.

Use the Pereto Principle to sort the tasks of that project and then finish it. Focus on it until it’s DONE.

Then move to the next project and Pereto out the steps to know what is going to get you 80% of the way to completion on that one.

Nothing is perfect. Let this flex.

I think you can see how this work. Nothing is perfect and you may have to flex this.

But, the point of it all for Jay Papasan is to help you discover The One Thing you should be focused on right now.

Tomorrow, I’m going to share with you, why it’s so important for us to discover that one thing.

Again, it’s a great book. I’ll put a link to it in the show notes at PDesmondAdams.com. Highly recommended. I started reading it after numerous people said the same thing. They were right. Check it out.

Call to Action

Pareto out today’s tasks … just as an experiment and then focus ONLY on those top items… with the highest one first. JUST THAT ONE THING

]]>What is the Pereto Principle?

You may not have heard of the Pereto Principle, but just about everyone has heard of the 80/20 rule. 80% of the failures in a project are caused by the top 20% of the errors.

Focus on the 20% and you’ll take care of almost all of the failures.

It’s something I used all the time when I worked as an engineer in electronic materials.

Originally, the principle came of out wealth distribution among a given population.

Most businesses will find that 80% of their sales come from just 20% of their customers. They focus on super serving this 20%.

Basically, 80% of the effect in anything is brought on by 20% of the cause.

Vilfredo Pereto showed that about 80% of the land in Italy, at the time, was owned by 20% of the population. Pareto went on to note that 80% of the peas in his garden came from 20% of the pods.

How Pereto Came to Productivity

I have to give credit, once again, to Jay Papasan, the co-author, along with Gary Keller, of The One Thing. I’ve been listening to it this past week and when I heard this technique, I knew I had to put it into practice and share it with you.

I suggest you pick up The One Thing so you get the full grasp of what Jay is teaching, but I’ll give you the summary of it all.

You probably have a very large to-do list associated with a specific project.

So, what should you work on first? This is where the Pereto principle comes into effect.

Determine what is your ultimate desired outcome. Maybe you’re building a website

Brainstorm and list everything that needs to be done to get that website launched. Everything

Now go through and start to sort the items based on how much they’ll impact the final outcome.

You’ll eventually notice that about 20% of the items will impact 80% of the final result.

You’ll now know exactly what you need to focus on first.

You can use this with just about any project

Drive the Pereto Deep by "Peretoing" your results

So, that gives you the biggest items, but what do you work on NOW?

Simply take that 20% and sort it again, so you can determine the 20% of the 20% which will give you the TOP 4% of your tasks which will produce the absolute biggest impact to the final desired outcome.

If 4% is still too broad of a focus, simply Pereto it out again, until you have a very clear idea of what needs to be done right now.

Pereto on Many Levels

If you’re like me, you have numerous projects on your desk at any given time. Obviously, if you focus on the top 20% or even top 4% of each project, you’ll never complete them. Sure, you’ll be 90+% of the way there, but you’ll never really finish.

So, you may have to Pereto your project.

Given your overall business goals, which projects are the most important?

Find the top 20% of the projects and you’ll probably have 80% of your business goals taken care of.

Use the Pereto Principle to sort the tasks of that project and then finish it. Focus on it until it’s DONE.

Then move to the next project and Pereto out the steps to know what is going to get you 80% of the way to completion on that one.

Nothing is perfect. Let this flex.

I think you can see how this work. Nothing is perfect and you may have to flex this.

But, the point of it all for Jay Papasan is to help you discover The One Thing you should be focused on right now.

Tomorrow, I’m going to share with you, why it’s so important for us to discover that one thing.

Again, it’s a great book. I’ll put a link to it in the show notes at PDesmondAdams.com. Highly recommended. I started reading it after numerous people said the same thing. They were right. Check it out.

Call to Action

Pareto out today’s tasks … just as an experiment and then focus ONLY on those top items… with the highest one first. JUST THAT ONE THING

Some are minor and probably insignificant, but the still play a role in shaping our character and identity.

I believe we have more regrets as we get older, not just because we’ve experienced more in life and obviously we regret a certain number of those experiences, but also because we gain wisdom from our past regrets. This wisdom helps us better identify previous mistakes or regrets, and hopefully some potential future ones as well, keeping us from actually experiencing those.

We may have the same experiences in our memory, but now we’re wise enough to regret them.

There also may be repercussions as we get older that weren’t as obvious earlier in life.

Our children are a great example of this one. Over or under disciplining our children may not seem like an issue at the time, but the outcome in their lives will show up when they’re in their 20’s and, because you wanted to be the ‘cool dad, you didn’t teach them self-discipline.

Financial decisions may be another one that doesn’t really show up in a big way until you’re in your late 40’s and realize you really SHOULD have put something into your retirement account when that financial adviser told you.

So really, regrets are an indication of wisdom. Whether we’ve already had that wisdom and ignored it, or we developed the wisdom and now wish we had done something different.

Healthy Attitude tip 1:

Be grateful for your awareness of regrets. You’ve grown.

Imagine if you had done the same things, taken the same actions and ended up with the same results, but you had no regrets about it.

I think the “No Regrets” mantra is one born out of ignorance and sometimes even stubbornness.

We don’t want to ever admit we did something wrong, so we champion this “no regrets” thing.

There are websites devoted to tattoos that were meant to say “no regrets” but, ironically, they were misspelled. There’s even one featured in the movie “We’re The Millers” where the daughter introduces her new boyfriend who sports a tattoo on this chest that says “No Ragrets.”

Regret actions… but don’t let regret become part of your identity.

Analyse your regrets so you can clearly define where you took a bad turn. If you don’t know what you did that lead to your regrets, you won’t know what to avoid in the future. You may find yourself riddled with extreme caution and taking no action rather than taking well thought out and wise action.

I regret riding my bike down a giant dirt hill when I was 5 or 6 years old because it left me with a broken arm.

I don’t avoid riding bikes now.

I don’t avoid riding bikes down hills

I do avoid riding a bike on a hill that’s beyond my skill level. I was 5 and could barely ride on a straight paved road and there I was trying to keep up with the older kids, riding down a giant rocky dirt hill. Ouch.

Healthy Attitude Tip 2:

Clearly chart the path to your past regrets. Don’t generalize.

You probably realize, your’e not the only one with regrets. We’ve all had them. But, we assume our regrets are worse or more consequential in life. But they're usually not. This is the downfall of today’s communities. We spend time with the fake families on TV and the filtered friends in social media, instead of gathering in our neighborhoods with other real people who can openly share of their mistakes.

One thing I don’t regret is being part of a faith community that didn’t gather every Sunday to hear one professional member of the community give a very entertaining prepared speech or sermon. In our community, we all gathered to talk about life, share food and enjoy some adult beverages. Conversations ranged from politics, careers, family, hobbies, and everything else. We all learned from each other’s REAL LIFE experiences.

They say there’s only one thing better than learning from your mistakes, that’s learning from someone else’s mistakes. The same lesson without the same pain. Seek the advice of those who are older and have wisdom. We’ve already said we can learn from regrets and we tend to have more (or be aware of more) of them when we get older.

So ask some people older than you, “What do you regret?”

What do you regret?

I would love to knwo what regrets you may have in life and what you've learned from them. Would you Tweet it to me @PDesmondAdams and use the hashtage #successforfailures if you want to be able to track others who comment.

]]>We all have regrets.

Some are life-changing

Some are minor and probably insignificant, but the still play a role in shaping our character and identity.

I believe we have more regrets as we get older, not just because we’ve experienced more in life and obviously we regret a certain number of those experiences, but also because we gain wisdom from our past regrets. This wisdom helps us better identify previous mistakes or regrets, and hopefully some potential future ones as well, keeping us from actually experiencing those.

We may have the same experiences in our memory, but now we’re wise enough to regret them.

There also may be repercussions as we get older that weren’t as obvious earlier in life.

Our children are a great example of this one. Over or under disciplining our children may not seem like an issue at the time, but the outcome in their lives will show up when they’re in their 20’s and, because you wanted to be the ‘cool dad, you didn’t teach them self-discipline.

Financial decisions may be another one that doesn’t really show up in a big way until you’re in your late 40’s and realize you really SHOULD have put something into your retirement account when that financial adviser told you.

So really, regrets are an indication of wisdom. Whether we’ve already had that wisdom and ignored it, or we developed the wisdom and now wish we had done something different.

Healthy Attitude tip 1:

Be grateful for your awareness of regrets. You’ve grown.

Imagine if you had done the same things, taken the same actions and ended up with the same results, but you had no regrets about it.

I think the “No Regrets” mantra is one born out of ignorance and sometimes even stubbornness.

We don’t want to ever admit we did something wrong, so we champion this “no regrets” thing.

There are websites devoted to tattoos that were meant to say “no regrets” but, ironically, they were misspelled. There’s even one featured in the movie “We’re The Millers” where the daughter introduces her new boyfriend who sports a tattoo on this chest that says “No Ragrets.”

Regret actions… but don’t let regret become part of your identity.

Analyse your regrets so you can clearly define where you took a bad turn. If you don’t know what you did that lead to your regrets, you won’t know what to avoid in the future. You may find yourself riddled with extreme caution and taking no action rather than taking well thought out and wise action.

I regret riding my bike down a giant dirt hill when I was 5 or 6 years old because it left me with a broken arm.

I don’t avoid riding bikes now.

I don’t avoid riding bikes down hills

I do avoid riding a bike on a hill that’s beyond my skill level. I was 5 and could barely ride on a straight paved road and there I was trying to keep up with the older kids, riding down a giant rocky dirt hill. Ouch.

Healthy Attitude Tip 2:

Clearly chart the path to your past regrets. Don’t generalize.

You probably realize, your’e not the only one with regrets. We’ve all had them. But, we assume our regrets are worse or more consequential in life. But they're usually not. This is the downfall of today’s communities. We spend time with the fake families on TV and the filtered friends in social media, instead of gathering in our neighborhoods with other real people who can openly share of their mistakes.

One thing I don’t regret is being part of a faith community that didn’t gather every Sunday to hear one professional member of the community give a very entertaining prepared speech or sermon. In our community, we all gathered to talk about life, share food and enjoy some adult beverages. Conversations ranged from politics, careers, family, hobbies, and everything else. We all learned from each other’s REAL LIFE experiences.

They say there’s only one thing better than learning from your mistakes, that’s learning from someone else’s mistakes. The same lesson without the same pain. Seek the advice of those who are older and have wisdom. We’ve already said we can learn from regrets and we tend to have more (or be aware of more) of them when we get older.

So ask some people older than you, “What do you regret?”

What do you regret?

I would love to knwo what regrets you may have in life and what you've learned from them. Would you Tweet it to me @PDesmondAdams and use the hashtage #successforfailures if you want to be able to track others who comment.

]]>18:06cleanwisdom,mindset,failure,regret,stubbornReduce the Number One Cause of Stress, With This Tool - Ep. 124Sat, 30 May 2015 10:34:48 +0000A recent poll by the American Psychological association indicates, the #1 stress inducer for Americans is money. It's not an abundance of money causing the problems, either. It's a lack of it.

This might hurt, but, the truth is, for most people, money issues are caused by spending more than you make.

Yes, I know, you may have lost your job prematurely

Yes, you may have had some surprise medical bills

Yes, there are a number of items which may have hurt you financially

Most of us are struggling financially because we’re spending more than we make. That's always been the case for me, when I've been struggling with money. Honestly, you'll have to answer this for yourself, but I have yet to meet someone, who was completely honest with themselves, who didn't have a major part in their money problems.

Even if you’ve been hit with a surprise bill, the truth is, we (myself included) didn’t have the money to pay it because we spent more than we made and didn’t have the money to save for those unexpected expenses.

So let’s talk about spending less than we make.

There are a lot of budgets out there. From a standard spreadsheet to a specialty app for our phone or computer. The Mint app is available in the iTunes App store and in Google Play. But, it's great for seeing where you money went, but it won't do much to keep it going where you've told it to go.

But, I’m going to give you the absolute easiest system available.

The envelope system

Before we talk about this, I want to stress with you, involve those who will be impacted. Your spouse and kids will need to be on board from the very beginning if you want to make this budget work.

The biggest reason a budget won’t work… You underestimate what you’re going to spend. So, take a moment and look at your previous bank statements to see what’s been going out. But, remember, this doesn’t set the number but it tells you where you’re at right now. It gives you a ballpark number.

From this ballpark number, you'll be able to look at where you need to tighten your belt and were you need to possibly loosen it and budget for more.

If you’ve been spending $800 a month in groceries, but when you set up your budget, you write down $500, you're probably setting yourself up for failure. That’s pretty unrealistic

Here’s what you do:

Pay the fixed costs

Rent or Mortgage

Utilities

Car Payments

Other debt with a minimum payment.

Get all of those figured out and pay them immediately.

Put something away into savings. Do it NOW. You can’t avoid the fixed costs, but you CAN adjust the variables we’re about to go into. Make sure you take BABY STEPS in your effort to get yourself where you WANT to be.

The balance will be taken out of the bank in cash and distributed among some envelopes

You will have to evaluate frequently. For example:

Groceries (this may have to adjust)

Gas Money (this may have to adjust)

Clothing (don’t spent it ALL… remember Back-to-School)

Dining

Gifts

Annual Expenses (Vehicle Registration, Maintenance, Holiday Gifts)

Travel or Vacation

Fun money

Hopefully this all helps you get to the point where you have a basic budget that allows you to tell your money what to do, rather than it telling you what you can or can't do.

Budgets work if you make them realistic.

]]>A recent poll by the American Psychological association indicates, the #1 stress inducer for Americans is money. It's not an abundance of money causing the problems, either. It's a lack of it.

This might hurt, but, the truth is, for most people, money issues are caused by spending more than you make.

Yes, I know, you may have lost your job prematurely

Yes, you may have had some surprise medical bills

Yes, there are a number of items which may have hurt you financially

Most of us are struggling financially because we’re spending more than we make. That's always been the case for me, when I've been struggling with money. Honestly, you'll have to answer this for yourself, but I have yet to meet someone, who was completely honest with themselves, who didn't have a major part in their money problems.

Even if you’ve been hit with a surprise bill, the truth is, we (myself included) didn’t have the money to pay it because we spent more than we made and didn’t have the money to save for those unexpected expenses.

So let’s talk about spending less than we make.

There are a lot of budgets out there. From a standard spreadsheet to a specialty app for our phone or computer. The Mint app is available in the iTunes App store and in Google Play. But, it's great for seeing where you money went, but it won't do much to keep it going where you've told it to go.

But, I’m going to give you the absolute easiest system available.

The envelope system

Before we talk about this, I want to stress with you, involve those who will be impacted. Your spouse and kids will need to be on board from the very beginning if you want to make this budget work.

The biggest reason a budget won’t work… You underestimate what you’re going to spend. So, take a moment and look at your previous bank statements to see what’s been going out. But, remember, this doesn’t set the number but it tells you where you’re at right now. It gives you a ballpark number.

From this ballpark number, you'll be able to look at where you need to tighten your belt and were you need to possibly loosen it and budget for more.

If you’ve been spending $800 a month in groceries, but when you set up your budget, you write down $500, you're probably setting yourself up for failure. That’s pretty unrealistic

Here’s what you do:

Pay the fixed costs

Rent or Mortgage

Utilities

Car Payments

Other debt with a minimum payment.

Get all of those figured out and pay them immediately.

Put something away into savings. Do it NOW. You can’t avoid the fixed costs, but you CAN adjust the variables we’re about to go into. Make sure you take BABY STEPS in your effort to get yourself where you WANT to be.

The balance will be taken out of the bank in cash and distributed among some envelopes

You will have to evaluate frequently. For example:

Groceries (this may have to adjust)

Gas Money (this may have to adjust)

Clothing (don’t spent it ALL… remember Back-to-School)

Dining

Gifts

Annual Expenses (Vehicle Registration, Maintenance, Holiday Gifts)

Travel or Vacation

Fun money

Hopefully this all helps you get to the point where you have a basic budget that allows you to tell your money what to do, rather than it telling you what you can or can't do.

Budgets work if you make them realistic.

]]>19:28cleanmoney,stress,spending,success,divorce,finances,budgets,groceriesYou Don't Have to Marry Your Life Purpose, Just Date It - Ep. 123Fri, 29 May 2015 01:33:46 +0000So much pressure… LIFE purpose. We think this is the meaning of our entire life.

This episode is inspired by a conversation between Lewis Howes of the School of Greatness Podcast and Jay Papisan, the author of The One Thing.

When I was 20, my life purpose was much different than it is now.

Don’t confuse the 50,000 foot view with the 1,000 foot view.

The higher you go, the less defined the image.

Think about a picture of earth from the International Space

Can you make out your state? Your city? Your neighborhood?

But RIGHT NOW, you have to go pick your kid up from school.

What I have to do RIGHT NOW is different from what i have to do in life.

My International Space Station view says my purpose is to love.

Think about it as a cone.

My life purpose is the tip.

The further I get from that, the more wiggle room I have.

What I have to do today, should be in the direction of that tip… love, but it doesn't have to BE the tip.

Like a compass, choose your next step based on where it’s pointing.

As long as you have that arrow defining “NORTH” or “YOUR PURPOSE”, you can explore. Just stay moving in that direction.

What will you do today? This week? This year?

What do you want to do in the next 5 years. (these goals change).

Reset every day, every week, every month.

But keep the compass in your hand so you know if you’ve gotten off course.

But don’t be afraid to explore.

Relax…

]]>So much pressure… LIFE purpose. We think this is the meaning of our entire life.

This episode is inspired by a conversation between Lewis Howes of the School of Greatness Podcast and Jay Papisan, the author of The One Thing.

When I was 20, my life purpose was much different than it is now.

Don’t confuse the 50,000 foot view with the 1,000 foot view.

The higher you go, the less defined the image.

Think about a picture of earth from the International Space

Can you make out your state? Your city? Your neighborhood?

But RIGHT NOW, you have to go pick your kid up from school.

What I have to do RIGHT NOW is different from what i have to do in life.

My International Space Station view says my purpose is to love.

Think about it as a cone.

My life purpose is the tip.

The further I get from that, the more wiggle room I have.

What I have to do today, should be in the direction of that tip… love, but it doesn't have to BE the tip.

Like a compass, choose your next step based on where it’s pointing.

As long as you have that arrow defining “NORTH” or “YOUR PURPOSE”, you can explore. Just stay moving in that direction.

What will you do today? This week? This year?

What do you want to do in the next 5 years. (these goals change).

Reset every day, every week, every month.

But keep the compass in your hand so you know if you’ve gotten off course.

4. Save whatever you can on a regular basis. It doesn’t have to be huge. Just $10 a paycheck would have made a huge difference. It’s not really about the money, it’s about the discipline of doing it.

5. Exercise regularly - Again, it’s not about being a muscle-head, it’s about the discipline

]]>20:02cleanexercise,self,focus,discipline,desire,consistency,selfdisciplineDon't Focus on the End, Focus on What's Next - Ep. 121Wed, 27 May 2015 01:15:19 +0000I heard Jay Papasan, the author of The One Thing, share an old Russian Proverb that says, "If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either one."

This is what so many of us, myself included, do each and every day. We spend our saying chasing after two, three, four, or even more rabbits. At the end of the day, we feel exhausted and demoralized having not accomplished our goal.

Define and focus on achieving The One Thing you need to do each day.

Make it a habit for yourself or your entire team (if you have one), to define and celebrate the accomplishment of The One Thing you need to do today.

Too often, we feel like we're losing and not accomplishing much because we focus too far down the road. Paint a finish line just a few steps down the street and celebrate crossing it. Then paint another one and celebrate again.

]]>I heard Jay Papasan, the author of The One Thing, share an old Russian Proverb that says, "If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either one."

This is what so many of us, myself included, do each and every day. We spend our saying chasing after two, three, four, or even more rabbits. At the end of the day, we feel exhausted and demoralized having not accomplished our goal.

Define and focus on achieving The One Thing you need to do each day.

Make it a habit for yourself or your entire team (if you have one), to define and celebrate the accomplishment of The One Thing you need to do today.

Too often, we feel like we're losing and not accomplishing much because we focus too far down the road. Paint a finish line just a few steps down the street and celebrate crossing it. Then paint another one and celebrate again.

]]>17:04cleanlove,behavior,relationships,christ,mind,subconscious,friendships,destructivePodcast Player Apps Recommended by Podcasters - Ep. 119Fri, 22 May 2015 14:45:49 +0000Most people have seen and even used the Podcast app that comes preinstalled on your iPhone, or you've used Stitcher Radio on your Android.

In this episode, I'm going to share with you a few other podcast player apps which you may not know about yet. These are ones which came highly recommended by other podcasters, so you know they're going to meet the needs of most listeners.

I'll be sharing about the following:

Overcast - iOS w/ Apple Watch support

Free to use with additional features unlocked for $4.99

Podcast Addict - Android - w/ Android Ware support

Free with a small banner ad which can be removed for $2.99

Downcast - iOS & Mac

$2.99

Pocket Casts - iOS, Android & Windows Phone

Free

]]>Most people have seen and even used the Podcast app that comes preinstalled on your iPhone, or you've used Stitcher Radio on your Android.

In this episode, I'm going to share with you a few other podcast player apps which you may not know about yet. These are ones which came highly recommended by other podcasters, so you know they're going to meet the needs of most listeners.

I'll be sharing about the following:

Overcast - iOS w/ Apple Watch support

Free to use with additional features unlocked for $4.99

Podcast Addict - Android - w/ Android Ware support

Free with a small banner ad which can be removed for $2.99

Downcast - iOS & Mac

$2.99

Pocket Casts - iOS, Android & Windows Phone

Free

]]>17:38cleanpodcast,watch,windows,apple,player,apps,phone,podcatcher,android,iosThe Secret to Happiness: Experiences - Ep. 118Thu, 21 May 2015 14:55:23 +0000In this episode, I share the information gathered in a study done in the 1970's to find out why people weren't happier as their incomes increased in the United States. Out of this came something called The Easterlin Paradox.

I talk about why we buy things and what we're actually seeking when we do.

Things are never part of you, but experiences are. When you pass-on, you will leave all of your things here on earth, but take everyone one of your experiences with you.

Shared experiences are an incredibly powerful part of all relationships. Because experiences become part of who I am and you're experiences are part of who you are, our shared experiences connect us at a deeper level.

It's incredibly difficult to compare experiences. We do this all the time with "things" we own, but your experiences are unique to you and can't be compared. I discuss why this helps add value to your experiences.

My Free Gift

You can still grab your free gift - Five Fears That Are Killing Your Dreams:

]]>In this episode, I share the information gathered in a study done in the 1970's to find out why people weren't happier as their incomes increased in the United States. Out of this came something called The Easterlin Paradox.

I talk about why we buy things and what we're actually seeking when we do.

Things are never part of you, but experiences are. When you pass-on, you will leave all of your things here on earth, but take everyone one of your experiences with you.

Shared experiences are an incredibly powerful part of all relationships. Because experiences become part of who I am and you're experiences are part of who you are, our shared experiences connect us at a deeper level.

It's incredibly difficult to compare experiences. We do this all the time with "things" we own, but your experiences are unique to you and can't be compared. I discuss why this helps add value to your experiences.

My Free Gift

You can still grab your free gift - Five Fears That Are Killing Your Dreams:

]]>19:23cleanmoney,life,spending,boats,experiences,bentleys,vacations,materialisticAct Like You're Rich; Spend LESS Than You Earn - Ep. 117Wed, 20 May 2015 01:24:41 +0000Grab your free one page report on the 5 fears that are keeping you from finishing what you've started and finally reaching your goals.

Or Text the word MYFREEGIFT to 33444 and I'll send the report immediately (only works in the U.S.)

Look at Your Money Like You Do Your Time

We can benefit greatly from looking at our money the same way we look at our time. There is no way you're going to spend 25 hours in one day doing anything. You can't use more time than you have available. It's impossible.

Rest is like a savings plan. Most of us spend all the money that comes into our life. If we did the same thing with our time, we'd be in the hospital being treated for exhaustion. Honestly, that's what a lot of bank accounts need, to be treated for exhaustion.

Start with budget

We all have clocks which tell us how much time is left in our day. Once the clock strikes midnight, that's it, the day is over. Our budget acts in the same manner.

Your budget doesn't need to be complex. In fact, keep it as simple as possible, at least in the beginning.

Write down what you earn

Subtract you mandatory costs

Subtract 10% (give or take) for savings

Then budget out the rest for non-necessary items.

Keep control of these items by using cash and an "envelope system."

It's not just about saving

The wealthy don't just focus on savings. They focus on earning as well.

Look for more sources to earn income

Look to earn more income from your current sources

Get rid of your debt on depreciating items

Other than real property (for most people, your home) everything else is a depreciating assets.

Homes can be a tremendous investment when you leverage your money (with a small down payment) and including the magic of compounding interest.

Self Discipline is spending less than you earn

The same rule you use for money can be used for food or other items.

Don’t squander your calories on items with no nutrition

Don’t squander your time on things that don’t benefit you

Don’t squander your money on items with no return

This is how the wealthy are different from the rest of society.

This is how the physically fit are different from the rest of society

]]>Grab your free one page report on the 5 fears that are keeping you from finishing what you've started and finally reaching your goals.

Or Text the word MYFREEGIFT to 33444 and I'll send the report immediately (only works in the U.S.)

Look at Your Money Like You Do Your Time

We can benefit greatly from looking at our money the same way we look at our time. There is no way you're going to spend 25 hours in one day doing anything. You can't use more time than you have available. It's impossible.

Rest is like a savings plan. Most of us spend all the money that comes into our life. If we did the same thing with our time, we'd be in the hospital being treated for exhaustion. Honestly, that's what a lot of bank accounts need, to be treated for exhaustion.

Start with budget

We all have clocks which tell us how much time is left in our day. Once the clock strikes midnight, that's it, the day is over. Our budget acts in the same manner.

Your budget doesn't need to be complex. In fact, keep it as simple as possible, at least in the beginning.

Write down what you earn

Subtract you mandatory costs

Subtract 10% (give or take) for savings

Then budget out the rest for non-necessary items.

Keep control of these items by using cash and an "envelope system."

It's not just about saving

The wealthy don't just focus on savings. They focus on earning as well.

Look for more sources to earn income

Look to earn more income from your current sources

Get rid of your debt on depreciating items

Other than real property (for most people, your home) everything else is a depreciating assets.

Homes can be a tremendous investment when you leverage your money (with a small down payment) and including the magic of compounding interest.

Self Discipline is spending less than you earn

The same rule you use for money can be used for food or other items.

Don’t squander your calories on items with no nutrition

Don’t squander your time on things that don’t benefit you

Don’t squander your money on items with no return

This is how the wealthy are different from the rest of society.

This is how the physically fit are different from the rest of society

]]>19:18cleanmoney,wealth,management,debt,budgeting,interest,budget,compounding,selfdisciplineTop 5 Ways to be UNProductive (That Have Nothing to Do With Productivity) - Ep. 116Tue, 19 May 2015 13:36:42 +0000I explain the top 5 items which seem to have nothing to do with productivity, but they're making us less productive.

You'll have to listen to the episode to really understand these items, so I'm not going to list them here. Not trying to force you to list, but I think you'd read the list and just not realize why each one is so incredibly important.

This episode, as with all of them, is less than 20 minutes long. You can invest 20 minutes to find out what's slowing down your productivity.

I also share how you can get a free copy of my one page report on the five fears which are stopping most of us from finishing what we've started. Get it at http://PDesmondAdams.com/5fears

** if you're in the U.S. you can also send a text to 33444 with the words MYFREEGIFT in the body, to 33444.

]]>I explain the top 5 items which seem to have nothing to do with productivity, but they're making us less productive.

You'll have to listen to the episode to really understand these items, so I'm not going to list them here. Not trying to force you to list, but I think you'd read the list and just not realize why each one is so incredibly important.

This episode, as with all of them, is less than 20 minutes long. You can invest 20 minutes to find out what's slowing down your productivity.

I also share how you can get a free copy of my one page report on the five fears which are stopping most of us from finishing what we've started. Get it at http://PDesmondAdams.com/5fears

** if you're in the U.S. you can also send a text to 33444 with the words MYFREEGIFT in the body, to 33444.

]]>19:46cleansocial,exercise,procrastination,media,nutrition,budgeting,productivity,sleepIt's Time to Stop Constantly Measure and Start Consistently Doing - Ep. 115Mon, 18 May 2015 02:22:32 +0000I share about my personal struggles with constantly stopping what I'm doing in order to measure how well I'm doing.

For years this has been called The Paralysis of Analysis

Truth is, you'll learn more by doing, failing and recovering than you ever will by analyzing all the ways you might possibly fail. So.. get started.

I give some examples of how this is a reality in my life and the lives of some people I've recently talked with.

I also share some ways you can control this... but mostly, it's about just getting started.

Things are different for you, but they’re not necessary more difficult.

Let go of your past.

Grab your free gift:

5 Fears Keeping You From Finishing What You've Started

Text the words MYFREEGIFT to 33444 and I'll send you the one page report immediately.

Remember, your 5 Star rating and review will help spread the word about this podcast. Submit yours right now at: http://PDesmondAdams.com/iTunes (this will open iTunes to my page, if you have it installed).

]]>Having peace with where you are, doesn’t mean you don’t want more.

Don’t worry about what you can’t change

Don’t let the opinion of those who don’t know and LOVE you matter.

Don’t compare yourself to others around you.

Things are different for you, but they’re not necessary more difficult.

Let go of your past.

Grab your free gift:

5 Fears Keeping You From Finishing What You've Started

Text the words MYFREEGIFT to 33444 and I'll send you the one page report immediately.

Remember, your 5 Star rating and review will help spread the word about this podcast. Submit yours right now at: http://PDesmondAdams.com/iTunes (this will open iTunes to my page, if you have it installed).

]]>20:19cleanOvercoming the Fear of Risk by Developing Self-Confidence - Ep. 112Wed, 13 May 2015 14:26:37 +0000The information in this episode comes directly from my course Reaching the Finish Line: How to Transform your Ideas into Achievements. This will be out in it's complete form by the middle of June 2015.

You can get more information about this episode by sending a TEXT MESSAGE to 33444 and putting the words MYFREEGIFT (no spaces - all one word) in the body of the text.

Caution about risk is normal - Paralyzing fear about risks is not.

We bombard our minds with all sorts of information about real and imagined risks through media and entertainment.

At the core of our fear of risk is a lack of self-confidence.

When we don't believe in ourselves, we don't believe we can overcome the risks in life, real or imagined. So the key is to build self-confidence.

Self-confidence is like any muscle in your body, the less you use it, the less usable it seems.

You have to start small and build up that self-confidence muscle.

]]>The information in this episode comes directly from my course Reaching the Finish Line: How to Transform your Ideas into Achievements. This will be out in it's complete form by the middle of June 2015.

You can get more information about this episode by sending a TEXT MESSAGE to 33444 and putting the words MYFREEGIFT (no spaces - all one word) in the body of the text.

Caution about risk is normal - Paralyzing fear about risks is not.

We bombard our minds with all sorts of information about real and imagined risks through media and entertainment.

At the core of our fear of risk is a lack of self-confidence.

When we don't believe in ourselves, we don't believe we can overcome the risks in life, real or imagined. So the key is to build self-confidence.

Self-confidence is like any muscle in your body, the less you use it, the less usable it seems.

You have to start small and build up that self-confidence muscle.

]]>18:21cleanHow to Be More Productive By Shrinking Your To Do List - Ep. 111Tue, 12 May 2015 19:27:25 +0000You’ll do more by having less to do.

Your value is determined by the impact your making in the lives of others.

We cover how to avoid the trap of miscalculating our value of our lives.

Even more important, I discuss why it's vital we don't do the same with the lives of those around us.

This episode will hopefully make a deep and meaningful impact in your day, week, month and even lifetime.

I share from my very personal life experiences and why I have always struggled with my own self-worth.

If you are struggling and can't possibly see how your life is more valuable than you ever thought, please email me: desmond@pdesmondadams.com

]]>Your value and worth is not measured by financial status.

Your value is determined by the impact your making in the lives of others.

We cover how to avoid the trap of miscalculating our value of our lives.

Even more important, I discuss why it's vital we don't do the same with the lives of those around us.

This episode will hopefully make a deep and meaningful impact in your day, week, month and even lifetime.

I share from my very personal life experiences and why I have always struggled with my own self-worth.

If you are struggling and can't possibly see how your life is more valuable than you ever thought, please email me: desmond@pdesmondadams.com

]]>18:47cleanQuickly Discover New Audio Content With This Fun Tool - EP. 109Fri, 08 May 2015 01:39:51 +0000It's Friday so I'm sharing a new tool that will help to make your life more fulfilled and enjoyable.

With this tool, you'll be able to sample a stream of new audio content in easily consumed 18 second chunks. Just like Instagram but for audio.

You can explore channels like:

News

Music (Several Genres)

Celebrity Gossip

Home Life

Woman's Issues

Inspiration

and... PODCASTS

You'll also be able to follow specific content providers like:

ESPN

Rolling Stone

Wall Street Journal

TMZ

People Magazine

The Onion

TechCrunch

LifeHacker

and more.

There's a ton of social sharing capabilities as well.

You can follow friend and other users.You can share new content you discover

If you hear something you like, just click on "Hear More" and you'll instantly pull up the entire audio file.

If you don't want to listen right now, just like it or save it for later and when you're ready, it will be there for you.

Find out about this great new tool in today's episode.

]]>It's Friday so I'm sharing a new tool that will help to make your life more fulfilled and enjoyable.

With this tool, you'll be able to sample a stream of new audio content in easily consumed 18 second chunks. Just like Instagram but for audio.

You can explore channels like:

News

Music (Several Genres)

Celebrity Gossip

Home Life

Woman's Issues

Inspiration

and... PODCASTS

You'll also be able to follow specific content providers like:

ESPN

Rolling Stone

Wall Street Journal

TMZ

People Magazine

The Onion

TechCrunch

LifeHacker

and more.

There's a ton of social sharing capabilities as well.

You can follow friend and other users.You can share new content you discover

If you hear something you like, just click on "Hear More" and you'll instantly pull up the entire audio file.

If you don't want to listen right now, just like it or save it for later and when you're ready, it will be there for you.

Find out about this great new tool in today's episode.

]]>15:25cleanUnderstanding Anger: Ours and Theirs - Ep. 108Thu, 07 May 2015 00:33:16 +0000Anger generally comes down to us hating in others what we hate in ourselves and/or hating in others what we wish we had inside of ourselves.

Oftentimes parents deal with getting angry with their kids because they see something they hate inside of themselves.

Parents will, out of love, want to help their children avoid the pains they experienced in life. This even happens with employer and employee relationships.

I did into that as well as the following, in a lot more depth in this episode.

The other area is when we see something we value in someone else and we get angry with them, because we're angry we don't have what they have.

Again, this is covered in greater depth in this episode. I hope you'll listen in and share it with someone who could use it to understand their own or maybe even your anger.

]]>Anger generally comes down to us hating in others what we hate in ourselves and/or hating in others what we wish we had inside of ourselves.

Oftentimes parents deal with getting angry with their kids because they see something they hate inside of themselves.

Parents will, out of love, want to help their children avoid the pains they experienced in life. This even happens with employer and employee relationships.

I did into that as well as the following, in a lot more depth in this episode.

The other area is when we see something we value in someone else and we get angry with them, because we're angry we don't have what they have.

Again, this is covered in greater depth in this episode. I hope you'll listen in and share it with someone who could use it to understand their own or maybe even your anger.

]]>19:28cleanSmall Daily Exercises to Strengthen Your... Self Discipline - Ep. 107Wed, 06 May 2015 01:06:32 +0000In this episode you're going to hear about some small, almost insignificant activities you can start doing right now which will strengthen your willpower and self-discipline.

Just like in the physical world, you don't start your first day of exercise with running a marathon. When it comes to your self-discipline, you don't need to go out and to the same thing. Start small. Baby steps...

We'll over some foundational items which will increase your basic ability to exercise self-discipline.

Nutrition

Sleep

Less stress

Control alcohol

I will explore with you some things you do each day which will increase your self-discipline. you'll have to listen to get these tips.

]]>In this episode you're going to hear about some small, almost insignificant activities you can start doing right now which will strengthen your willpower and self-discipline.

Just like in the physical world, you don't start your first day of exercise with running a marathon. When it comes to your self-discipline, you don't need to go out and to the same thing. Start small. Baby steps...

We'll over some foundational items which will increase your basic ability to exercise self-discipline.

Nutrition

Sleep

Less stress

Control alcohol

I will explore with you some things you do each day which will increase your self-discipline. you'll have to listen to get these tips.

]]>19:59cleanBeing In The Fast Lane Doesn't Get You There Quicker - Ep. 106Tue, 05 May 2015 00:00:00 +0000You've seen those people (hopefully you're not one of them) who get in the fast lane and drive the same speed as everyone else in the slower lanes.

Everyone gets in line behind them hoping they'll go faster just because they're in the fast lane, but that isn't all it takes.

Sometimes you have to adjust and move around slower people.

Sometimes you're the slower person who others are trying to get around.

Some people speed up when you try to pass them and then slow back down again after a few miles.

The same thing happens in life, business, relationships, and careers. So, how do you deal with it? What should you do to make sure you're reaching your goals as quickly as possible?

FIND OUT WHY YOU'RE NOT FINISHING WHAT YOU'VE STARTED

I've put together a free one page report to help you discover the fears which are keeping you from finishing what you've started.

Get your copy right now by sending a text to 33444 with the words MYFREEGIFT in the text.

RATINGS AND REVIEWS

If you love this podcast and want other people to benefit from it as well, leave a 5 star rating and a review in iTunes. It will help bump the show up in the iTunes search rankings.

]]>17:02cleanHow to Handle Verbal Attacks - Ep. 105Mon, 04 May 2015 00:00:00 +0000I share an experience I had this past Saturday where a family member, whom I love and respect, send some very hurtful words to me via text. I then go into exploring how to view and respond to this sort of verbal bullying.

Is there something to learn? Be humble enough to ask if there is some truth buried deep within the crap they sent your way. Missing that will cost you, not them.

Ask yourself the motif they had in sending the message. Is their motive love? Is it love, but they're too weak to deliver it in a loving way? Do they want to hurt you in order to cause you to change? What change are they looking for and is it best for you?

How to not let the words hurt. I honestly still feel pain from this event. I'm not in as much pain as I would have been 10 years ago, but I still am dealing with it.

How should you craft a response?

I go through my response and tell you why I said what I did. It managed to stop the grenades without expressing a negative emotion, or hurting them back.

FINISH WHAT YOU STARTED

If you struggle at all, finishing what you've started, I have a free resource which may change things for you in a big way.

I've put together a one page report on the Five Fears Which Are Keeping You From Finishing What You've Started and Reaching Your Goals.

It's one page and it's absolutely free. Get your copy right now by sending a text to 33444 with the words MYFREEGIFT in the text. All one word, no spaces, MYFREEGIFT in a text to 33444

]]>I share an experience I had this past Saturday where a family member, whom I love and respect, send some very hurtful words to me via text. I then go into exploring how to view and respond to this sort of verbal bullying.

Is there something to learn? Be humble enough to ask if there is some truth buried deep within the crap they sent your way. Missing that will cost you, not them.

Ask yourself the motif they had in sending the message. Is their motive love? Is it love, but they're too weak to deliver it in a loving way? Do they want to hurt you in order to cause you to change? What change are they looking for and is it best for you?

How to not let the words hurt. I honestly still feel pain from this event. I'm not in as much pain as I would have been 10 years ago, but I still am dealing with it.

How should you craft a response?

I go through my response and tell you why I said what I did. It managed to stop the grenades without expressing a negative emotion, or hurting them back.

FINISH WHAT YOU STARTED

If you struggle at all, finishing what you've started, I have a free resource which may change things for you in a big way.

I've put together a one page report on the Five Fears Which Are Keeping You From Finishing What You've Started and Reaching Your Goals.

It's one page and it's absolutely free. Get your copy right now by sending a text to 33444 with the words MYFREEGIFT in the text. All one word, no spaces, MYFREEGIFT in a text to 33444

]]>19:27cleanPrimitive Tool Increases Your Productivity for Less Than a Dollar - Ep 104Fri, 01 May 2015 01:15:50 +0000Science has proven when we engage in certain physical activities, we greatly increase our brain’s capacity for reaching optimal efficiency. Doing this one thing causes multiple areas of your brain to become co-activated.

If you’re trying to “get through to someone” at a deeper level or break through some mental barriers to what’s you’re saying, one of the best things you can do it touch them. I’m not talking about grabbing their arm or anything violent, but rather, touching their hand or arm, as you’re speaking to them.

FREE REPORT

Why you don't finish what you've started and never reach your goals.

The five fears which stopped me as well. Find out what they are, just

Send a TEXT to 33444 and put the words MYFREEGIFT (all one word, no spaces) in the text.

You'll almost instantly get the free one page report.

HELP THE SHOW

Please rate and review this show in iTunes - It helps people find the show.

]]>Science has proven when we engage in certain physical activities, we greatly increase our brain’s capacity for reaching optimal efficiency. Doing this one thing causes multiple areas of your brain to become co-activated.

If you’re trying to “get through to someone” at a deeper level or break through some mental barriers to what’s you’re saying, one of the best things you can do it touch them. I’m not talking about grabbing their arm or anything violent, but rather, touching their hand or arm, as you’re speaking to them.

FREE REPORT

Why you don't finish what you've started and never reach your goals.

The five fears which stopped me as well. Find out what they are, just

Send a TEXT to 33444 and put the words MYFREEGIFT (all one word, no spaces) in the text.

You'll almost instantly get the free one page report.

HELP THE SHOW

Please rate and review this show in iTunes - It helps people find the show.

I want to give you a free gift.. the same gift that set me on the right path and helped me overcome a lifetime of procrastination, distraction and coming up short on my goals. I discovered 5 fears which were keeping me from finishing what I started. They were like a poison destroying my dreams.

I put together a one page information sheet to help you discover which of these fears is holding you back. Get it for free right now:

Text the words MYFREEGIFT to 33444 and it'll will come to you almost instantly.

SHOW CONTENT

I'd heard this children's story countless times as a child. I've even read this to my own children many times, but it wasn't until I was in my mid 40's that it smacked me upside the head.

The reason some people have been successful in life and I haven't is the same reason the tortoise won the race against the hare. One of Aesop's most famous fables, the Tortoise and the Hare.

I read the story in the episode and share some ways you can relate it to your life, which you may not have considered when you've previously heard it.

Oh, and as always, if you enjoy the show, please subscribe, rate and review in iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

]]>SPONSOR:

I want to give you a free gift.. the same gift that set me on the right path and helped me overcome a lifetime of procrastination, distraction and coming up short on my goals. I discovered 5 fears which were keeping me from finishing what I started. They were like a poison destroying my dreams.

I put together a one page information sheet to help you discover which of these fears is holding you back. Get it for free right now:

Text the words MYFREEGIFT to 33444 and it'll will come to you almost instantly.

SHOW CONTENT

I'd heard this children's story countless times as a child. I've even read this to my own children many times, but it wasn't until I was in my mid 40's that it smacked me upside the head.

The reason some people have been successful in life and I haven't is the same reason the tortoise won the race against the hare. One of Aesop's most famous fables, the Tortoise and the Hare.

I read the story in the episode and share some ways you can relate it to your life, which you may not have considered when you've previously heard it.

When you buy a franchise, one of the things you're paying for is their systems to help make your business more efficient.

Not only do systems help save time, they help eliminate errors.

Most people don't invest the time needed to create system for the same reasons most people don't invest the money needed to create a healthy savings or retirement account.

Whether you're doing laundry most of the day or running a 1,000 employee operation, you can benefit from creating systems that will save you time and reduce cost.

Invest a small portion of your time today to create a system for one of your biggest tasks each day. Do that right now and make progress towards being more efficient.

Remember: Grab my free gift - 5 Fears Killing Your Dreams

Until you take the time to look into what's going on in your head, you have no idea how one or more of these fears may be keeping you from reaching your goals.

Send a text right now to 33444 and include the word MYFREEGIFT and I'll send the ONE page report directly to you. You'll also get a follow up message over the next few days digging in a bit deeper into each of these fears. This may be what's stopping you from living the life you dream of living.

When you buy a franchise, one of the things you're paying for is their systems to help make your business more efficient.

Not only do systems help save time, they help eliminate errors.

Most people don't invest the time needed to create system for the same reasons most people don't invest the money needed to create a healthy savings or retirement account.

Whether you're doing laundry most of the day or running a 1,000 employee operation, you can benefit from creating systems that will save you time and reduce cost.

Invest a small portion of your time today to create a system for one of your biggest tasks each day. Do that right now and make progress towards being more efficient.

Remember: Grab my free gift - 5 Fears Killing Your Dreams

Until you take the time to look into what's going on in your head, you have no idea how one or more of these fears may be keeping you from reaching your goals.

Send a text right now to 33444 and include the word MYFREEGIFT and I'll send the ONE page report directly to you. You'll also get a follow up message over the next few days digging in a bit deeper into each of these fears. This may be what's stopping you from living the life you dream of living.

]]>19:09clean Relaunching a Project and Learning From Our Mistakes - Ep. 99Fri, 24 Apr 2015 00:00:00 +0000Big announcement about what to expect starting with the next episode, number 100. I'm very excited about the return to my original topic schedule for each week.

I'm also looking to pick the brains of others who can share on these same topics. I plan on having one guest for the entire week, still just 10-20 minutes per day, sharing on each topic. I think this is going to be a great addition to the show.

]]>Big announcement about what to expect starting with the next episode, number 100. I'm very excited about the return to my original topic schedule for each week.

I'm also looking to pick the brains of others who can share on these same topics. I plan on having one guest for the entire week, still just 10-20 minutes per day, sharing on each topic. I think this is going to be a great addition to the show.

]]>17:27cleanThe #1 Reason Why You're Not Overcoming Setbacks - Ep. 94Sat, 18 Apr 2015 00:00:00 +0000There are a number of factors that contribute to where you are in life

What you do to yourself

What others do to you

How you respond to both situations

This is ultimately what determines where you end up.

Remember, it's not what happens to you, it's where that leaves you and it's your reaction that typically will determine this.

]]>There are a number of factors that contribute to where you are in life

What you do to yourself

What others do to you

How you respond to both situations

This is ultimately what determines where you end up.

Remember, it's not what happens to you, it's where that leaves you and it's your reaction that typically will determine this.

]]>13:00cleanStop Acting Like You’re Fine When You’re Not – Ep. 93Wed, 28 Jan 2015 01:12:35 +0000How to keep yourself from losing control of your emotions by making yourself vulnerable and sharing how you feel with others. Suppressing your feelings leads to an explosion of them.

]]>14:33cleanStop Taking the Path of Least Resistance – Ep. 92Mon, 26 Jan 2015 02:38:38 +0000If you're frustrated with the lack of progress you're making on a project, presentation or goal; If you find you often do what's easiest or quickest instead of what's best, this episode will give you some insight into why this might be happening.

]]>If you're frustrated with the lack of progress you're making on a project, presentation or goal; If you find you often do what's easiest or quickest instead of what's best, this episode will give you some insight into why this might be happening.

]]>15:26cleanYour Desire for Perfection is Keeping You From Having Joy - Ep. 91Thu, 30 Oct 2014 02:51:11 +0000In this episode we're going to look at how our attempts to achieve perfection can keep us from taking action, which prevents us from seeing any sort of improvement.

]]>10:36cleanOne Small Change Dramatically Increases Your Creativity (Ep. 90)Tue, 28 Oct 2014 02:04:51 +0000You're going to learn about a very simple thing you can do right now which will dramatically increase your capacity for creativity and at the same time fill your life with increased awareness of the great things which surround you.

]]>You're going to learn about a very simple thing you can do right now which will dramatically increase your capacity for creativity and at the same time fill your life with increased awareness of the great things which surround you.

]]>16:01cleanHow to Escape the “Hamster Wheel” - Ep. 89Mon, 27 Oct 2014 00:38:45 +0000We're going to look at what you can do today to get away from the mundane tasks which rob us of our joy and consequently, our creativity.

]]>13:18cleanEp. 88 – Stop Wasting Time Explaining Yourself to OthersFri, 24 Oct 2014 00:22:03 +0000We're going to talk about why some of us feel this overwhelming compulsion to explain things to others. I'll share what I did today, which will probably make this perfectly clear to you.

]]>17:46cleanEp. 87 – Why Lowering Your Standards Feel So GoodThu, 23 Oct 2014 00:46:35 +0000In this episode you're going to understand what your level is and why lowering yourself to someone elses feels so good... at first. Then we'll talk about one simple thing you can do to keep that from happening.

]]>In this episode you're going to understand what your level is and why lowering yourself to someone elses feels so good... at first. Then we'll talk about one simple thing you can do to keep that from happening.

]]>16:52cleanEp. 86 – 5 Steps to Release Yourself From a GrudgeWed, 22 Oct 2014 02:16:41 +0000You're going to find freedom. Freedom from the angst, the hurt, the bitterness and the pain you feel when you hold a grudge against someone else for something, even if it's legitimate, that they have done to you in the past.

]]>You're going to find freedom. Freedom from the angst, the hurt, the bitterness and the pain you feel when you hold a grudge against someone else for something, even if it's legitimate, that they have done to you in the past.

]]>18:54cleanEp. 85 – Stop Complaining and Feeling Sorry for YourselfTue, 21 Oct 2014 02:04:44 +0000Hopefully this episode will help reset your approach today and in the days to come, when you experiences opportunities to complain or feel sorry for yourself.

]]>16:31cleanEp. 84 – Stop Being Jealous of OthersFri, 17 Oct 2014 00:43:51 +0000You're going to learn how to determine if you deal with jealousy and how you can overcome it. I'll go into signs you may have some jealousy going on and then follow it up with a few mindset changes you can implement to help overcome it.

]]>You're going to learn how to determine if you deal with jealousy and how you can overcome it. I'll go into signs you may have some jealousy going on and then follow it up with a few mindset changes you can implement to help overcome it.

]]>13:06cleanEp. 83 – Stop Trying to Compete Against Everyone ElseThu, 16 Oct 2014 01:59:49 +0000You're going to learn why competition actually limits you and hurts your chances at extreme success. Yes, I think competition is great for consumers, but for creators like yourself, I see it as something that holds you back. I'll explain...

]]>You're going to learn why competition actually limits you and hurts your chances at extreme success. Yes, I think competition is great for consumers, but for creators like yourself, I see it as something that holds you back. I'll explain...

]]>12:39cleanEp. 82 – Stop Rejecting New Relationships Just Because Old Ones Didn’t Work OutWed, 15 Oct 2014 00:00:17 +0000You're hopefully going to realize there is a reason for every relationship you've had, have now and will have in the future. Each relationship stands on it's own with a specific purpose and one cannot be used to evaluate another.

]]>You're hopefully going to realize there is a reason for every relationship you've had, have now and will have in the future. Each relationship stands on it's own with a specific purpose and one cannot be used to evaluate another.

]]>14:36cleanEp. 81 – Stop Getting INvolved in Relationships for the Wrong ReasonsTue, 14 Oct 2014 02:30:29 +0000Often times we get into relationships for the very same bad reasons we buy "stuff." We're looking for something we hope the stuff will give us or make us feel. In this episode we explore those reasons and look at how to finally find a great relationship

]]>Often times we get into relationships for the very same bad reasons we buy "stuff." We're looking for something we hope the stuff will give us or make us feel. In this episode we explore those reasons and look at how to finally find a great relationship

]]>12:11cleanEp. 79 – Stop Being IdleFri, 10 Oct 2014 02:07:08 +0000You're going to learn the value of taking action right now. Risking failure by not being 100% ready to take action is what gets you to your goals. We're going to look at how to break through this paralysis, take a risk and take action.

]]>You're going to learn the value of taking action right now. Risking failure by not being 100% ready to take action is what gets you to your goals. We're going to look at how to break through this paralysis, take a risk and take action.

]]>17:35cleanEp. 078 – Stop Exclusively Look to Others for HappinessThu, 09 Oct 2014 00:01:43 +0000You're going to find out the secret to having and experiencing the best and most rewarding relationships with people you love. I'll give you a hint, it's not about finding that perfect person. If you've struggled with bad relationships in the past, this episode could be a game changer for you.

]]>You're going to find out the secret to having and experiencing the best and most rewarding relationships with people you love. I'll give you a hint, it's not about finding that perfect person. If you've struggled with bad relationships in the past, this episode could be a game changer for you.

]]>14:42cleanEp. 77 – Stop Trying to Buy HappinessWed, 08 Oct 2014 01:55:05 +0000Have you become frustrated because all your work and effort hasn't brought you happiness? Listen to this podcast and find out how to finally discover what will make you happy.

]]>15:35cleanEp. 76 – Stop Berating Yourself for Past MistakesTue, 07 Oct 2014 01:32:26 +0000Finally find freedom from your past mistakes by taking a new look at them in a healthy way. Learn some steps you can take to stop berating yourself for your past mistakes.

]]>15:28cleanEp. 75 – Stop Being Scared to Make a MistakeMon, 06 Oct 2014 07:00:09 +0000If you struggle with feeling like you're life is nothing but one failure after another, please take 15 minutes and listen to this episode. You will redefine your idea of failure and realize it's what ultimately brings you success

]]>If you struggle with feeling like you're life is nothing but one failure after another, please take 15 minutes and listen to this episode. You will redefine your idea of failure and realize it's what ultimately brings you success

]]>16:31cleanEp. 74 – How to Get Out of Your FunkMon, 28 Jul 2014 00:00:45 +0000In this episode you're going to realize we all are short of our ultimate selves, but the very best thing we can do is to be honest and authentic with those around us. Our weaknesses gain strength when we shroud them in secrecy.

]]>In this episode you're going to realize we all are short of our ultimate selves, but the very best thing we can do is to be honest and authentic with those around us. Our weaknesses gain strength when we shroud them in secrecy.

]]>22:43cleanEp. 73 – 5 Steps to Let Go of Your PastFri, 11 Jul 2014 01:58:28 +0000“People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar.” – Thich Nhat Hanh Episode Summary This is #6 of the 30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself, an article originally posted on Marc and Angel Hack Life. You can also find [...]

]]>“People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar.” – Thich Nhat Hanh Episode Summary This is #6 of the 30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself, an article originally posted on Marc and Angel Hack Life. You can also find [...]

]]>19:01cleanEp. #71 – Stop Putting Your Own Needs on the Back BurnerFri, 04 Jul 2014 00:56:47 +0000In this episode you're going to learn why it's not selfish to put your own interests before the interests of others in your life. You're going to learn how this will not only benefit you, but also benefit them.

]]>In this episode you're going to learn why it's not selfish to put your own interests before the interests of others in your life. You're going to learn how this will not only benefit you, but also benefit them.

]]>15:07cleanEp. #70 – Stop Lying to YourselfWed, 02 Jul 2014 00:00:33 +0000In this episode we're going to look at why we lie to ourselves and what we're seeking when we do it. We'll even look at when it might be beneficial to engage in self-deception and when we should absolutely avoid it.

]]>In this episode we're going to look at why we lie to ourselves and what we're seeking when we do it. We'll even look at when it might be beneficial to engage in self-deception and when we should absolutely avoid it.

]]>17:25cleanEp. #69 – Stop Running From Your ProblemsMon, 30 Jun 2014 00:00:09 +0000This is part 2 in the series on 30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself. In this episode we're going to look the idea of running from our problems. How we do it and why.

]]>15:43cleanEp. #68 – Stop Spending Time with The Wrong PeopleWed, 25 Jun 2014 00:00:19 +0000This is the first in a series called "30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself." It's from an article I saw on Lifebuzz.com, which had just one small paragraph for each item. I'm going to do one podcast per item. We're going in the deep end...

]]>This is the first in a series called "30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself." It's from an article I saw on Lifebuzz.com, which had just one small paragraph for each item. I'm going to do one podcast per item. We're going in the deep end...

]]>18:02cleanEp. #67 – Let the Cake Bake: Creativity + Effort + Time = SuccessMon, 16 Jun 2014 07:00:32 +0000When you've come up with a brilliant idea, put in massive amounts of work and still have to do it again tomorrow. Success isn't just about great ideas and doing hard work today, but about doing it consistently over time.

]]>When you've come up with a brilliant idea, put in massive amounts of work and still have to do it again tomorrow. Success isn't just about great ideas and doing hard work today, but about doing it consistently over time.

]]>10:50cleanEp. #66 – Creating A “Time Budget” So You Don’t OverspendFri, 13 Jun 2014 01:13:05 +0000 “Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort.” – Paul J. Meyer – American Author Episode Summary In this episode you’re going to learn how to create a time budget so you don’t overspend your minutes in one area of life when it [...]

]]> “Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort.” – Paul J. Meyer – American Author Episode Summary In this episode you’re going to learn how to create a time budget so you don’t overspend your minutes in one area of life when it [...]

]]>17:44cleanEp. #65 – Creating S.M.A.R.T.E.R. GoalsWed, 11 Jun 2014 07:00:16 +0000You're going to learn one of the best and most comprehensive techniques for setting goals that will challenge you while also increasing the likelihood you'll achieve them... tougher and more attainable goals? Yes... Listen...

]]>You're going to learn one of the best and most comprehensive techniques for setting goals that will challenge you while also increasing the likelihood you'll achieve them... tougher and more attainable goals? Yes... Listen...

]]>Why it's important you willingly walk straight into the sights of failure, if you plan on ever finding success. For far too many, the risk of failure causes the fear that keeps us from success. Let's fail!

]]>11:11cleanEp. #63 – Facing Difficulties with the Right AttitudeMon, 02 Jun 2014 07:00:41 +0000 “When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.” – Peter Marshall Summary You’re going to gain a greater understanding and awareness of why we have difficulties and how our reaction to them can either strengthen us or crush us. But, [...]

]]> “When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.” – Peter Marshall Summary You’re going to gain a greater understanding and awareness of why we have difficulties and how our reaction to them can either strengthen us or crush us. But, [...]

]]>In today episode I'm announcing my upcoming webinar on The Secret to Achieving Your Goals. I'm going to share with you the missing ingredient that launched me into a world where my dreams were finally coming true.

]]>20:15cleanEp. #61 – To Have the Extraordinary Abandon the OrdinaryWed, 28 May 2014 07:00:48 +0000I'm going to share with you some insights I took from a conversation I had today with "Real Estate Artist" Frank McKinney. We talked about the difference between those who create extraordinary lives and those who don't.

]]>I'm going to share with you some insights I took from a conversation I had today with "Real Estate Artist" Frank McKinney. We talked about the difference between those who create extraordinary lives and those who don't.

]]>15:05cleanEp. #60 – Relax and Allow Yourself to Be Uniquely YouMon, 26 May 2014 07:00:20 +0000You're going to learn the importance of being true to your unique self. A simple reminder for today, as you head out this day and this week, that you don't have to TRY to be something you're not. Relax... be you.

]]>You're going to learn the importance of being true to your unique self. A simple reminder for today, as you head out this day and this week, that you don't have to TRY to be something you're not. Relax... be you.

]]>11:07cleanEp. #58 – The Most Common Traits Among Those Who Achieve GreatnessWed, 21 May 2014 06:00:34 +0000You're going to learn the greatest distinction between someone who ends up a success and someone who doesn't. It's not the ONLY distinction, but a distinction that is common among the largest number of people who have achieved greatness

]]>You're going to learn the greatest distinction between someone who ends up a success and someone who doesn't. It's not the ONLY distinction, but a distinction that is common among the largest number of people who have achieved greatness

]]>13:52cleanEp. #57 – The Secret to Abundant Living: Enjoy What You HaveMon, 19 May 2014 07:00:46 +0000 “Not what we have, but what we enjoy, constitutes abundance.” – Epicurus In This Episode: You’re going to be encouraged to enjoy the abundance you most likely already have in life. Even the things which sometimes cause you pain. We’ll look at how our mental approach to these things will determine whether we feel abundant [...]

]]> “Not what we have, but what we enjoy, constitutes abundance.” – Epicurus In This Episode: You’re going to be encouraged to enjoy the abundance you most likely already have in life. Even the things which sometimes cause you pain. We’ll look at how our mental approach to these things will determine whether we feel abundant [...]

]]>13:50cleanEp. #56 – Workflowy: Simple Tool To Organized Your ThoughtsFri, 16 May 2014 07:00:24 +0000 “First comes thought; then organization of that thought, into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination.” Napoleon Hill In This Episode I’m going to share with you a free app that will help you organize your thoughts in the simplest fashion [...]

]]> “First comes thought; then organization of that thought, into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination.” Napoleon Hill In This Episode I’m going to share with you a free app that will help you organize your thoughts in the simplest fashion [...]

]]>19:38cleanEp. #54 – Do The Work Today So You Can Live TomorrowMon, 12 May 2014 07:00:17 +0000You're going to hear about a major mindset change which will challenge you to shift from working to survive to working to live and to live more abundantly. This might be a difficult one to put into action

]]>You're going to hear about a major mindset change which will challenge you to shift from working to survive to working to live and to live more abundantly. This might be a difficult one to put into action

]]>13:45cleanEp. #53 – I Share One of My Favorite Podcasts (Besides Mine)Fri, 09 May 2014 07:00:29 +0000On Fridays I love to share a tool or resource I believe has been beneficial to me achieving my goals. In this episode I share another podcast that I believe will be something you enjoy tremendously.

]]>On Fridays I love to share a tool or resource I believe has been beneficial to me achieving my goals. In this episode I share another podcast that I believe will be something you enjoy tremendously.

]]>18:56cleanEp. #51 – Letting Go of Your GrudgesMon, 05 May 2014 07:00:56 +0000In this episode, you're going to discover something you can do today which may change your life for good. A simple, but often difficult change in your mindset which will feel like you've taken off the shackles that keep you from finding absolute joy. Learning to let go of your grudges.

]]>In this episode, you're going to discover something you can do today which may change your life for good. A simple, but often difficult change in your mindset which will feel like you've taken off the shackles that keep you from finding absolute joy. Learning to let go of your grudges.

]]>20:44cleanEp. #50 – The Most Powerful Productivity Tool EVER!Fri, 02 May 2014 07:00:57 +0000You're going to learn about the most powerful tool and resource I have ever used. But, it IS something you have to use. Just having it won't do a thing for you until you put it into play. But once you do, your path to success becomes so much less cluttered clearly marked.

]]>You're going to learn about the most powerful tool and resource I have ever used. But, it IS something you have to use. Just having it won't do a thing for you until you put it into play. But once you do, your path to success becomes so much less cluttered clearly marked.

]]>11:21cleanEp. #49 – Can You Get Away With Stealing Cake?Thu, 01 May 2014 07:00:14 +0000We're going to explore the idea of "getting away with doing something that isn't good for you." And we're going to dig into this a little deeper to find out if the lack of an immediate consequence is indicative of no consequence at all.

]]>We're going to explore the idea of "getting away with doing something that isn't good for you." And we're going to dig into this a little deeper to find out if the lack of an immediate consequence is indicative of no consequence at all.

]]>16:18cleanEp. #48 – What Self-Discipline ISN’T AboutWed, 30 Apr 2014 07:00:23 +0000You're going to learn how to discover true and lasting self-discipline by figuring out what it isn't about... Once you do that, you'll have a narrowed laser focus on what you need to do to become the self-disciplined superhero you long to be.

]]>You're going to learn how to discover true and lasting self-discipline by figuring out what it isn't about... Once you do that, you'll have a narrowed laser focus on what you need to do to become the self-disciplined superhero you long to be.

]]>18:03cleanEp. #47 – Done Is Better Than PerfectTue, 29 Apr 2014 07:00:41 +0000 Done is better than perfect. -Mark Zuckerburg In This Episode You’re going to learn to focus on the things you’re doing right and not the things you may have missed. You’re going to learn to look for the positives and forget the negatives. Practice What I Preach Because of some outside issues, I [...]

]]> Done is better than perfect. -Mark Zuckerburg In This Episode You’re going to learn to focus on the things you’re doing right and not the things you may have missed. You’re going to learn to look for the positives and forget the negatives. Practice What I Preach Because of some outside issues, I [...]

]]>14:30cleanEp. #46 – How The Lottery Can Cost You Your FortuneMon, 28 Apr 2014 07:00:23 +0000We're going to skip by the obvious truth that playing the lottery is a bad investment, we've heard that time and time again, but we're going to look at why the lottery can cost you a few dollars today, but even worse, it can cost you the mindset that will make you a fortune tomorrow.

]]>We're going to skip by the obvious truth that playing the lottery is a bad investment, we've heard that time and time again, but we're going to look at why the lottery can cost you a few dollars today, but even worse, it can cost you the mindset that will make you a fortune tomorrow.

]]>15:41cleanEp. #44 – Forgive Yourself So You Can Love OthersThu, 24 Apr 2014 07:00:14 +0000You're going to see how our disappointment, anger and unwillingness to forgive ourselves keeps us from allowing others to forgive us and causes us to act in a way which brings about the hatred we feel we deserve.

]]>You're going to see how our disappointment, anger and unwillingness to forgive ourselves keeps us from allowing others to forgive us and causes us to act in a way which brings about the hatred we feel we deserve.

]]>15:06cleanEp. #43 – The First Step Towards Self-DisciplineWed, 23 Apr 2014 07:00:38 +0000You're going to learn about the first step towards self-discipline; the act of engaging in moments of deep and honest self-examination, because that's what leads to self-knowledge and self-knowledge will bring us to solid self-discipline and more.

]]>You're going to learn about the first step towards self-discipline; the act of engaging in moments of deep and honest self-examination, because that's what leads to self-knowledge and self-knowledge will bring us to solid self-discipline and more.

]]>14:24cleanEp. #42 – The Value of a Sabbath DayTue, 22 Apr 2014 07:00:56 +0000You're going to be encouraged to go beyond daily breaks and even annual vacations and commit to having a weekly or periodic Sabbath day. Not as a religious obligation but as something that's great for your mental well-being and creativity.

]]>You're going to be encouraged to go beyond daily breaks and even annual vacations and commit to having a weekly or periodic Sabbath day. Not as a religious obligation but as something that's great for your mental well-being and creativity.

]]>16:57cleanEp. #41 – Don’t Compare Your Beginning to Someone Else’s MiddleMon, 21 Apr 2014 07:00:28 +0000“Comparison is the thief of joy” – Theodore Roosevelt In This Episode You’re going to learn how to have a proper perspective on where you are in life, in relationships, in your personal growth, business and more. You’re going to find out how making comparisons, as President Teddy Roosevelt stated above, will leave you feeling [...]

]]>“Comparison is the thief of joy” – Theodore Roosevelt In This Episode You’re going to learn how to have a proper perspective on where you are in life, in relationships, in your personal growth, business and more. You’re going to find out how making comparisons, as President Teddy Roosevelt stated above, will leave you feeling [...]

]]>10:42cleanEp. #40 – A Tool To Help You Discover Your DistractionsFri, 18 Apr 2014 07:00:46 +0000You're going to find out about a tool that will help you discover the things that distract you the most when you're working on your computer. Using this tool may be one of the most eye-opening experiences in which you'll engage.

]]>You're going to find out about a tool that will help you discover the things that distract you the most when you're working on your computer. Using this tool may be one of the most eye-opening experiences in which you'll engage.

]]>13:51cleanEp. #38 – Going from Involved to CommittedWed, 16 Apr 2014 07:00:15 +0000“Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal – a commitment to excellence – that will enable you to attain the success you seek.” Mario Andretti In This Episode You’re going to learn about a mindset that permeates so many areas of your life, but [...]

]]>“Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal – a commitment to excellence – that will enable you to attain the success you seek.” Mario Andretti In This Episode You’re going to learn about a mindset that permeates so many areas of your life, but [...]

]]>15:04cleanEp. #37 – Clean Out Your Mental Inbox With A Power NapTue, 15 Apr 2014 07:00:04 +0000You're going to learn about a simple and enjoyable activity you can engage in everyday which will actually increase your productivity.It's incredibly enjoyable, only takes about 20 minutes, on average, per day and it will leave you with instant results. Seriously, let me explain...

]]>You're going to learn about a simple and enjoyable activity you can engage in everyday which will actually increase your productivity.It's incredibly enjoyable, only takes about 20 minutes, on average, per day and it will leave you with instant results. Seriously, let me explain...

]]>16:11cleanEp. #36 – The Secret to Having a Fulfilling LifeMon, 14 Apr 2014 07:00:27 +0000You're going to be encouraged to move from a consumer to a creator. To find true fulfillment in your life by creating for the benefit of yourself and others. To go inward to find what your soul has to offer the world.

]]>You're going to be encouraged to move from a consumer to a creator. To find true fulfillment in your life by creating for the benefit of yourself and others. To go inward to find what your soul has to offer the world.

]]>10:11cleanEp. #35 – Hire an Assistant Before You BurnoutFri, 11 Apr 2014 07:00:07 +0000If you're feeling like you're on the edge of burning out, you're exhausted and you're being pushed to your physical, mental or emotional limits, you're going to find there is simple, practical, affordable and immediately available solution.

]]>If you're feeling like you're on the edge of burning out, you're exhausted and you're being pushed to your physical, mental or emotional limits, you're going to find there is simple, practical, affordable and immediately available solution.

]]>16:23cleanEp. #34 – The Ultimate Question: Why Are We Here?Thu, 10 Apr 2014 07:00:17 +0000A look at what it means to be here, living our lives and finding our purpose. To understand why God or our creator brought us into the world, we have to understand something very controversial about this God entity. Get ready... this might be a bumpy ride

]]>A look at what it means to be here, living our lives and finding our purpose. To understand why God or our creator brought us into the world, we have to understand something very controversial about this God entity. Get ready... this might be a bumpy ride

]]>12:19cleanEp. #33 – Defeat Defeatism Before It Defeats YouWed, 09 Apr 2014 07:00:27 +0000You're going to learn about one of the most debilitating mindsets which will destroy just about every effort you make towards self-improvement. This mindset isn't negative about the ideas or the opportunities, but about your ability to succeed at them. Defeatism will take you down before you've even started.

]]>You're going to learn about one of the most debilitating mindsets which will destroy just about every effort you make towards self-improvement. This mindset isn't negative about the ideas or the opportunities, but about your ability to succeed at them. Defeatism will take you down before you've even started.

]]>11:20cleanEp. #32 – Clean Desk Makes Us More ProductiveTue, 08 Apr 2014 07:00:28 +0000“If a cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind, what is the significance of a clean desk?” – Laurence J. Peters – Creator of the Peter Principle In This Episode We going to look at the debate over whether a clean or dirty desk is best for your productivity and what you can [...]

]]>“If a cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind, what is the significance of a clean desk?” – Laurence J. Peters – Creator of the Peter Principle In This Episode We going to look at the debate over whether a clean or dirty desk is best for your productivity and what you can [...]

]]>15:39cleanEp. #31 – Do Your Best Work Now: Die EmptyMon, 07 Apr 2014 07:00:04 +0000You're going to learn the difference between working yourself to death and dying empty. How to give your best every day and leaving nothing within you at the end of your days.

]]>08:38cleanEp. #30 – A Tool To Wake You At The Perfect TimeFri, 04 Apr 2014 07:00:57 +0000I share an app which will help you wake up feeling more refreshed than ever before. It's a tool on your phone which tracks your sleep patterns and wakes you up, within a specific window, at the best possible time.

]]>I share an app which will help you wake up feeling more refreshed than ever before. It's a tool on your phone which tracks your sleep patterns and wakes you up, within a specific window, at the best possible time.

]]>12:18cleanEp. #28 – Negativism Will Destroy Your Self-DisciplineWed, 02 Apr 2014 07:00:58 +0000In this episode you're going to learn how a negative attitude will sabotage your efforts to find hope and a reason to improve and without a reason to improve, you'll have no reason to incorporate self-discipline your daily efforts.

]]>In this episode you're going to learn how a negative attitude will sabotage your efforts to find hope and a reason to improve and without a reason to improve, you'll have no reason to incorporate self-discipline your daily efforts.

]]>10:05cleanEp. #27 – Do That Thing You’ve Been AvoidingTue, 01 Apr 2014 07:00:39 +0000“Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” – Mark Twain In This Episode I’m going to share with you the importance of doing that impossible task you’ve been avoiding, first thing in the day. Before you’ve done anything else. Get that [...]

]]>“Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” – Mark Twain In This Episode I’m going to share with you the importance of doing that impossible task you’ve been avoiding, first thing in the day. Before you’ve done anything else. Get that [...]

]]>11:12cleanEp #26 – Don’t Regret the End of Good ThingsMon, 31 Mar 2014 07:00:18 +0000In this episode we look at how we can enjoy the the good things that have happened and not be saddened by the fact that they're over, which tends to rob us, not only of our current joy, but the wonderful memories as well.

]]>In this episode we look at how we can enjoy the the good things that have happened and not be saddened by the fact that they're over, which tends to rob us, not only of our current joy, but the wonderful memories as well.

]]>11:24cleanEp #25 – Let Music Help You Focus At WillFri, 28 Mar 2014 07:00:52 +0000I'm going to share an amazing tool with you that is scientifically proven to increase your ability to focus on whatever you're doing. It will take you from distracted to intensely focused almost instantly and it's all driven by the amazing beautiful world of music.

]]>I'm going to share an amazing tool with you that is scientifically proven to increase your ability to focus on whatever you're doing. It will take you from distracted to intensely focused almost instantly and it's all driven by the amazing beautiful world of music.

]]>11:00cleanEp. #24 – Don’t Let Your Knowledge Limit Your ImaginationThu, 27 Mar 2014 07:00:21 +0000“Imagination is everything. It’s the preview of life’s coming attractions.” – Albert Einstein In This Episode I want to challenge you to set aside your limiting thoughts and your beliefs. I want to help you see beyond what you CAN see and even what you CAN imagine. I want to help you take your thoughts [...]

]]>“Imagination is everything. It’s the preview of life’s coming attractions.” – Albert Einstein In This Episode I want to challenge you to set aside your limiting thoughts and your beliefs. I want to help you see beyond what you CAN see and even what you CAN imagine. I want to help you take your thoughts [...]

]]>09:11cleanEp. #23 – Cynicism Is The Enemy of Self-DisciplineWed, 26 Mar 2014 07:00:26 +0000You're going to learn about one of the biggest enemies of self-discipline. For years, this was the reason I struggled with procrastination and even to this day, if I'm not mindful of it's presence, it can still bite me in the butt. The inner cynic.

]]>You're going to learn about one of the biggest enemies of self-discipline. For years, this was the reason I struggled with procrastination and even to this day, if I'm not mindful of it's presence, it can still bite me in the butt. The inner cynic.

]]>10:11cleanEp. 22 – The Secret to Getting “It” Done Without FailTue, 25 Mar 2014 07:00:18 +0000The #1 secret tip to getting your work done. No excuses... no coming up short, no failures whatsoever. What I share in this episode has been the difference in my life between years and even decades of work without results and where I am now... doing what I love every single day.

]]>The #1 secret tip to getting your work done. No excuses... no coming up short, no failures whatsoever. What I share in this episode has been the difference in my life between years and even decades of work without results and where I am now... doing what I love every single day.

]]>11:05cleanEp. #21 – Time: The Great Equalizer for Us AllMon, 24 Mar 2014 02:04:32 +0000We're going to look at how time is the great equalizer for every person regardless of their position in life. Whether you're the President of the United States, a billion entrepreneur, start athlete or homeless on the streets, you all have the same number of minutes allotted each day.

]]>We're going to look at how time is the great equalizer for every person regardless of their position in life. Whether you're the President of the United States, a billion entrepreneur, start athlete or homeless on the streets, you all have the same number of minutes allotted each day.

]]>11:14cleanEp. #20 – How 10 Minutes a Day Can Change Your LifeFri, 21 Mar 2014 07:00:56 +0000“I think the present moment is so underrated. It sounds so ordinary, and yet, we spend so little time in the present moment that it’s anything but ordinary.” – Andy Puddicombe – Former Tibetan Monk, Trained Circus Performer and Founder of Headspace In thie Episode You’re going to find out about the mental, physical and [...]

]]>“I think the present moment is so underrated. It sounds so ordinary, and yet, we spend so little time in the present moment that it’s anything but ordinary.” – Andy Puddicombe – Former Tibetan Monk, Trained Circus Performer and Founder of Headspace In thie Episode You’re going to find out about the mental, physical and [...]

]]>15:27cleanEp. #19 – Who is the Real You Under All The Crap?Thu, 20 Mar 2014 07:00:22 +0000Since Christ lives within you, even though your body will die because of sin, your spirit is alive because you have been made right with God. – Romans 8:10 New International Version In This Episode You’re going to explore the real you. Not the you who you see when you look in the mirror or [...]

]]>Since Christ lives within you, even though your body will die because of sin, your spirit is alive because you have been made right with God. – Romans 8:10 New International Version In This Episode You’re going to explore the real you. Not the you who you see when you look in the mirror or [...]

]]>14:56cleanEp. #18 – Overnight Success Doesn’t ExistWed, 19 Mar 2014 07:00:37 +0000“Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.” – Jon Acuff – Author of Quitter and Start In This Episode You’re going to be reminded that success is a process of trying, failing, trying, failing, trying and failing again. It’s through this process that we achieve success, not in spite of it. Just like with [...]

]]>“Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.” – Jon Acuff – Author of Quitter and Start In This Episode You’re going to be reminded that success is a process of trying, failing, trying, failing, trying and failing again. It’s through this process that we achieve success, not in spite of it. Just like with [...]

]]>08:09cleanEp. #17 – Avoid the Time “Debt Collectors”Tue, 18 Mar 2014 07:00:18 +0000“If you commit to giving more time than you have to spend, you will constantly be running from time debt collectors.” – Elizabeth Saunders – Author of The 3 Secrets to Effective Time Investment In this episode I’m going to show you how your generosity with your time can cost you in every area of [...]

]]>“If you commit to giving more time than you have to spend, you will constantly be running from time debt collectors.” – Elizabeth Saunders – Author of The 3 Secrets to Effective Time Investment In this episode I’m going to show you how your generosity with your time can cost you in every area of [...]

]]>11:41cleanEp. #16 – Learn to Celebrate FailureMon, 17 Mar 2014 07:00:20 +0000Failure is what's necessary for us to overcome our weaknesses. We don't even know our weaknesses until they've shown up as failure in our lives. It's only after we find them and push through that we'll eventually find success. Don't confuse failure with quitting, they're completely different.

]]>Failure is what's necessary for us to overcome our weaknesses. We don't even know our weaknesses until they've shown up as failure in our lives. It's only after we find them and push through that we'll eventually find success. Don't confuse failure with quitting, they're completely different.

]]>09:03cleanEp. #15 – An App to Help You Create Strong New HabitsFri, 14 Mar 2014 07:00:38 +0000“Successful people are simply those with successful habits.” – Brian Tracy They say, if you do anything for 3 weeks, it becomes a habit. But why does that happen? There really a science behind it and it’s been proven time-and-again. When you do something new, your brain works to create a special little neuro-pathway while [...]

]]>“Successful people are simply those with successful habits.” – Brian Tracy They say, if you do anything for 3 weeks, it becomes a habit. But why does that happen? There really a science behind it and it’s been proven time-and-again. When you do something new, your brain works to create a special little neuro-pathway while [...]

]]>13:19cleanEp. #13 – Parental Discipline Teaches Self-DisciplineWed, 12 Mar 2014 07:00:15 +0000I think of discipline as the continual everyday process of helping a child learn self-discipline. – Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers Neighborhood) In this episode you’re going to learn the single greatest thing you can do to lead your children into becoming successful adults. Even if you don’t have children, this episode will help you understand [...]

]]>I think of discipline as the continual everyday process of helping a child learn self-discipline. – Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers Neighborhood) In this episode you’re going to learn the single greatest thing you can do to lead your children into becoming successful adults. Even if you don’t have children, this episode will help you understand [...]

]]>14:10cleanEp. #12 – Laser Focus Pierces the Barriers to SuccessTue, 11 Mar 2014 07:00:26 +0000“Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work in hand. The Sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus” – Alexander Graham Bell In this episode, you’ll learn why it’s vital that you take all of your energy and focus on one specific area in order to burn through to success. It’s not about [...]

]]>“Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work in hand. The Sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus” – Alexander Graham Bell In this episode, you’ll learn why it’s vital that you take all of your energy and focus on one specific area in order to burn through to success. It’s not about [...]

]]>10:51cleanEp. #11 – Finding Success Now – Making the Struggle DisappearMon, 10 Mar 2014 07:00:15 +0000“Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.” – Ancient Chinese Proverb The ancient Chinese proverb above could even be paraphrased as: “Tension is when we worry about what we SHOULD BE doing. Relaxation is when we embrace what we ARE doing.” Disclaimer: If you think you can achieve something [...]

]]>“Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.” – Ancient Chinese Proverb The ancient Chinese proverb above could even be paraphrased as: “Tension is when we worry about what we SHOULD BE doing. Relaxation is when we embrace what we ARE doing.” Disclaimer: If you think you can achieve something [...]

]]>10:48cleanEp. #10 – Find the Right Task Management ToolFri, 07 Mar 2014 08:00:48 +0000You can only feel good about what you are not doing, when you know what you are not doing. — David Allen – Author of Getting Things Done. In this episode I share some of my favorite tools for managing your tasks or to-do list. When you can manage your tasks, you’ll know what needs [...]

]]>You can only feel good about what you are not doing, when you know what you are not doing. — David Allen – Author of Getting Things Done. In this episode I share some of my favorite tools for managing your tasks or to-do list. When you can manage your tasks, you’ll know what needs [...]

]]>14:33cleanEp. #8 – Self-Discipline in the Small Areas Leads to Self-Discipline in the Big AreasWed, 05 Mar 2014 08:00:36 +0000In reading the lives of great men, I found that the first victory they won was over themselves… self-discipline with all of them came first. – Harry S. Truman In this episode of the Mental Mastery Moment, you will learn how even the small battles we have with self-discipline are important in our overall mastery [...]

]]>In reading the lives of great men, I found that the first victory they won was over themselves… self-discipline with all of them came first. – Harry S. Truman In this episode of the Mental Mastery Moment, you will learn how even the small battles we have with self-discipline are important in our overall mastery [...]

]]>08:10cleanEp. #7 – How to Clear Your Mind So Ideas Can FlowTue, 04 Mar 2014 08:00:02 +0000Use your mind to think about things, not to keep thinking about them - Dave Allen – Author: Getting Things Done If you’ve ever struggled with keeping track of all of the amazing ideas that pop into your head, you’re going to love this episode of the Mental Mastery Moment. I’m going to give you [...]

]]>Use your mind to think about things, not to keep thinking about them - Dave Allen – Author: Getting Things Done If you’ve ever struggled with keeping track of all of the amazing ideas that pop into your head, you’re going to love this episode of the Mental Mastery Moment. I’m going to give you [...]

]]>09:55cleanEp. #6 – Finding the Perfect Vehicle That Will Help Us Reach Our GoalsMon, 03 Mar 2014 08:00:59 +0000Are you waiting to be certain about a decision before taking action? Do you become uncertain and hop to another opportunity? This episode will help you find focus and determination.

]]>09:07cleanEp. #5 – Favorite Tools to Keep Yourself FocusedTue, 25 Feb 2014 03:05:33 +0000This is probably my #1 productivity app next to my task list. In fact, I would almost say, having this is more important than having a task list, because I actually use this when I’m creating that list. In Episode 2 I talked about using the Pomodoro technique for increasing your productivity. This is where [...]

]]>This is probably my #1 productivity app next to my task list. In fact, I would almost say, having this is more important than having a task list, because I actually use this when I’m creating that list. In Episode 2 I talked about using the Pomodoro technique for increasing your productivity. This is where [...]

]]>10:22cleanEp. #4 – Why It’s Vital We Live in the Perfection That is Right NowTue, 25 Feb 2014 02:42:20 +0000Good… Bad… Right … wrong… beautiful… ugly… fun… boring… If you’re always chasing after that good feeling, or you’re day is ruined because of something that happened that you didn’t like, you will benefit from this episode. Let’s start with a confession… I have not perfected this and that’s ok. I am always reminding myself [...]

]]>Good… Bad… Right … wrong… beautiful… ugly… fun… boring… If you’re always chasing after that good feeling, or you’re day is ruined because of something that happened that you didn’t like, you will benefit from this episode. Let’s start with a confession… I have not perfected this and that’s ok. I am always reminding myself [...]

]]>12:16cleanEp. #3 – Why Self-Discipline Trumps Every Other Personal AttributeTue, 25 Feb 2014 01:58:58 +0000Without self-discipline success is impossible, period! – Lou Holtz If you feel like you’re doing everything right; you’re a dreamer and you’ve developed numerous wonderful products or services, you believe the impossible is possible, you have a vision board in front of you and you’re emotionally connecting with what you see, but you just aren’t [...]

]]>Without self-discipline success is impossible, period! – Lou Holtz If you feel like you’re doing everything right; you’re a dreamer and you’ve developed numerous wonderful products or services, you believe the impossible is possible, you have a vision board in front of you and you’re emotionally connecting with what you see, but you just aren’t [...]

]]>09:39cleanEp. #2 – Increase Your Productivity by Doing NothingMon, 24 Feb 2014 06:53:05 +0000Science shows us our minds act in a similar way to our muscles. To gain maximum physical strength, a bodybuilder has to not only work his or her muscles, but he or she must be diligent in allowing them to rest to grow and restore. In fact, a bodybuilder can actually lift more weight when [...]

]]>Science shows us our minds act in a similar way to our muscles. To gain maximum physical strength, a bodybuilder has to not only work his or her muscles, but he or she must be diligent in allowing them to rest to grow and restore. In fact, a bodybuilder can actually lift more weight when [...]

]]>10:02cleanEp. #1 – An Introduction to the Mental Mastery Moment PodcastMon, 24 Feb 2014 05:01:19 +0000It’s finally here! The Mental Mastery Moment Podcast. You can download any or all of the podcast episodes onto your computer or eventually access them through any number of Podcast directories. I’ll share those once I’ve submitted and have links. Since this is the very first episode, I spent the time sharing what you can [...]

]]>It’s finally here! The Mental Mastery Moment Podcast. You can download any or all of the podcast episodes onto your computer or eventually access them through any number of Podcast directories. I’ll share those once I’ve submitted and have links. Since this is the very first episode, I spent the time sharing what you can [...]